2022 Laudum Roble Monastrell & Syrah Alicante 750 ml

Ounce for ounce, Spanish Monastrell (Mourvèdre) is some of the most concentrated red wine out there. And when it’s grown in the extreme climate of Alicante’s Vinalopó subregion—buckle up. 

These arid mountains seem like they’re just daring grapes to grow. Summers are scorching. Winters are frigid. There are 2,800 hours of annual sunlight, with hardly any rain to offer respite. Yet Monastrell relishes the challenge, developing robust structure and a brooding personality. It’s the kind of concentration that’s made the variety a go-to for the legendary wines of Château de Beaucastel and the deep reds of Bandol. 

Striking a balance with that kind of power isn’t easy, but Laudum nailed it in their 94-point 2022 Monastrell & Syrah. The wine contains 70% Monastrell from 40-year-old vines, and 30% Syrah reinforces the tannin structure and full body, while adding juicy fruit and additional spice complexity. The result is a cornucopia of floral, herbal, and spice aromas, along with dark fruit, violet, and a streak of minerality on the palate. 

Laudum belongs to one of the most important co-ops in the Alicante region: Bodegas Bocopa. Their growers tend a range of vineyards, from lower-lying coastal plots to rugged, higher-elevation ones in Vinalopó—and they’re all farmed organically. 

Abutting the Mediterranean on Spain’s southeast coast, Alicante is among the nation’s oldest DOs, and its winemaking history dates back to the 15th century. In centuries past, the area was renowned across Europe, even in royal houses. While the style of wine has changed over the years, the quality persists, and this wine proves it. It’s a shining example of a must-know region for any lover of bold reds.