Altos de la Hoya 2022

Altos de la Hoya is produced by Bodegas Olivares, a family-owned winery located in the Jumilla appellation in southeastern Spain, in the province of Murcia. The vineyard stretches across a high-altitude plateau with poor, stony soils, dominated by limestone and sand, favoring low-yield viticulture. The climate is continental with a strong Mediterranean influence, characterized by very hot summers, cold winters, and limited rainfall. These extreme conditions, combined with the altitude, allow for concentrated grapes while preserving freshness.

The Monastrell grapes, grown on old vines, are harvested at optimal ripeness, then destemmed and vinified using traditional methods, with fermentation in temperature-controlled tanks to preserve the fruit and freshness. Maceration is conducted in a way that gently extracts color and tannins. After malolactic fermentation, the wine is aged in tanks and large casks or barrels to refine its structure while retaining the typical character of Monastrell di Jumilla.

This wine reveals notes of ripe black fruit , juicy red fruit , and floral violet , enhanced by hints of sweet spice and a subtle touch of toasted oak . The palate is full-bodied with a velvety texture, supported by a balanced acidity that adds vibrancy. The tannins are present but well-integrated, providing structure without harshness. The finish is pleasantly long, leaving a lingering impression of freshness and spicy fruit .

The history of wine in Spain is so ancient that no one really knows who first brought the vines to the region. By the time the Phoenicians arrived some 3,000 years ago and founded the present-day cities of Cádiz and Jerez, viticulture was already well established, and Spanish wines were widely traded throughout the Mediterranean and North Africa. You could say that Spain is a winemaking miracle. After years on the sidelines of the world of fine wines, it is now a major player. Investment and ambition in vineyards and wineries are resulting in increasingly rich, complex (often high in alcohol), and spicy reds that are gaining popularity with international consumers. Proud to have more land dedicated to vines than any other country, Spain is only now beginning to capitalize on this resource in a consistent way. Spain is a chaotic jumble of regions and subregions, much like its landscape is a chaotic jumble of incredibly rugged scenery. A glance at a map reveals the climatic diversity among Spain's many wine regions, from the lush, green vineyards of Galicia on the northern Atlantic coast to the parched vineyards of the southeastern Mediterranean. Spain's saving grace for viticulture is the average altitude of its vineyards, which is over 600 meters. Many Spanish vineyards are thus able to produce grapes with good color and acidity simply because nighttime temperatures are relatively low and the grapes don't ripen until after a sufficiently long growing season. But there is a real treasure trove to be found for those willing to dig, and now that a class of connoisseurs has developed in Spain, all sorts of ambitious investors have done their part to change the image of Spanish wine. Today, a new generation of winemakers has quietly begun to craft spectacular wines and experiment with grape varieties that would have been unthinkable not so long ago. Wine remains an important commodity and an integral part of Spanish culture.