Sancha Ad Libitum Monastel 2020

Region: Rioja, Spain

Grape Variety: Monastel

A sleeper on the shelf, this wine is from the formidable Juan-Carlos Sancha, a professor at the University of Rioja and the biggest proponent in the region for biodiversity with regard to grape varieties. In his research he discovered that before 1912 there were 44 different grapes grown in Rioja, today there are effectively 2 for red wines. He and his team have scoured the region and found 27 of the grape varieties and began an experimental vineyard to propagate them. One of the most promising is this grape, Monastel, which is not related to Mourvèdre which goes by the same name in southern Spain.

Decant this one and it explodes with ripe blueberry, blackberry and black pepper notes, with a juicy, ripe mid-palate and a little chew on the finish. If you are into the dark meat of the bird, or anything with a little more richness this is a great choice.