2020 Bodegas Volver Tarima Hill Old Vines Monastrell Alicante

In early 2024, after a year of blind-tasting thousands of wines from all over the world, six Wine Spectator editors selected their Top 10 Values of the Year. The wine that landed at #8—and was crowned the #1 Spanish value of the year—was Volver’s 2020 Tarima Hill Old Vines Monastrell.

From Alicante—Spain’s bullseye for value—these 50–85 year-old vines deliver an immensely concentrated, luscious thrilling wine. It might just be the ultimate anytime red, especially by a fire or with grub coming off the grill.

Monastrell may not have the instant recognition of grape varieties like Cabernet or Syrah, but don’t let that deter you. This inky grape, also known as Mourvèdre, tastes like a hybrid of the two, combining concentrated power, broad fruit flavors, and a full body. 

Rafael Cañizares, founder of Bodegas Volver, is a champion of Alicante’s ancient vines. This fourth-generation winegrower sources grapes from otherwise-forgotten bush-trained vines planted between 1935 and 1970 in the rocky, poor limestone soils of Alicante. The heat of the growing season in this rugged, coastal region in southeastern Spain is tempered by the high elevation and proximity to the Mediterranean Sea. 

Old vines and this extreme terroir, with its wild temperature swings, make this a gorgeous blend of sun-baked power and liveliness that absolutely blew through our tasting panel. It will be perfect with anything grilled or roasted!

• Fruit Intensity
• Oak Intensity
• Body
• Acidity
• Tannin

• ABV 14.50%
• 1 hour
• Now – 2028
• % Monastrell
• Serving temperature – 58°
• Cork