Bodegas La Purisima, Monastrell

Spain, 2022

A friend in the trade introduced me to this organic red and insisted I give it a try. The label was striking—stark white with a twisting vine—and the wine looked dark and brooding even before the cork was out. The grape is Monastrell, better known as Mourvèdre in France or Mataro in Australia. It’s widely planted, but still manages to fly under the radar.

Once we got stuck in, I was glad he’d brought it along. Brick-red in the glass, with generous dark fruit, a savoury, meaty edge, and a smooth, full-bodied feel. It’s the kind of wine that punches well above its price tag—rich, flavourful, and incredibly drinkable. We were in full agreement: this one over-delivers. Certified organic.