2007 Bodegas Olivares "Altos de la Hoya" Jumilla

91 points Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar: "Inky purple color. Strongly floral nose displays a seductive bouquet of dark berries, lavender, rose and smoky Indian spices. Vibrant blackberry and candied cherry flavors are lifted by zesty minerals, becoming deeper and sweeter with air. The impressively brisk and focused finish features pure berries. Here's another crazy value." (09/08) On the Wine Advocate's list of recommended wine values under $25. Produced from old, ungrafted vines that rise from the beautiful, almost surreal bleached white landscape of lime rich, sandy soil in the cooler La Hoya de Santa Ana sub-zone of the Jumilla region (Murcia, southeastern Spain). There is always something quite different about this Monastrell-based wine that sets it apart from the hosts of other $10 versions out there. The fruit leans more towards red (as opposed to the more typical black fruit one finds in Jumilla), there is brighter than usual acidity, and a definite terroir stamp that manifests itself in a spicy, intense brand of minerality. What we have here is a serious bottle of bargain wine, an $18 bottle in $10 clothing." (Joe Manekin, K&L Spanish wine buyer)