The 2011 Tarima made from non-organic Monastrell is sensational. From an area dominated by cooperatives, this full-bodied blockbuster boasts plenty of blue and black fruit notes, impressive purity and an enticing texture as well as length. It is hard to believe that wines such as this can be found for under $10 a bottle.
Bodega Volver, a joint project between Rafael Canizares and Jorge Ordonez, produces wines from three appellations, La Mancha, Alicante and Jumilla. Readers will need to take note of the nearly identical cuvees, some of which are made from organic grapes and others from non-organic grapes. That information is clearly marked on the labels. Slightly more expensive are the 2010 and 2009 Tarima Hill. These cuvees come from the winery’s oldest vines (20 acres of ungrafted vines that were planted in 1935) planted on the highest elevations.
Importer: Value Wines from Fine Estates from Spain, Dedham, MA, tel. (781) 461-5767; Fax (781) 461-2570; www.jorgeordonez.com