Olivares Dulce Monastrell '16

Bodegas Olivares is a reference point for the Monastrell grape. Based in the region of Jumilla, the winery was founded in 1930 by Pascual Olivares Fernández. The family vineyards are located in the subregion of Hoya de Santa Ana, which is in the northwest corner of the appellation. Here, the vineyards are high altitude, over 800 meters, and the soil, a combination of sand and chalk, resisted phylloxera. The vines at Bodegas Olivares are mostly ungrafted, a rarity in Europe. 

Made from 100% Monastrell, this is the signature dessert wine from Olivares, from the estate’s oldest, ungrafted vines. The fruit is picked in late autumn, when the grapes begin to shrivel, becoming rich and concentrated as they reach intense levels of ripeness. It is made only 5-6 times per decade, when the conditions are perfect. This dulce (sweet) wine is made by partially fermenting the grapes, with more than 30 days of maceration with skins.

The complex nose includes intense, fresh aromas of figs, dates, and ripe fruit. Pair it with a range of desserts, especially those made with chocolate, or with blue and aged cheeses.