This wine came heavily recommended by wineking and the gang, so maybe my expectations were too high
Pale/medium ruby, very light on the edges, almost brick colored, fat sappy legs, not very fragrant, very strong throat-burning alcohol taste, sweetness like artificial sweetness and colored red candies, strawberries, blueberries, chocolate middle notes
Maybe I need to get more experienced to find the depth and complexity, didn't do it for me
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Notes after an hour open. Dark, slightly inky purple color with heavy legs and no sediment. Profound blackberry bouquet and more moderate vanilla, oak, and baked muffin notes. The palate has big tannins and high heat, but it’s not too out of place with the huge amount of fruit and luckily, the oak lays low. Stays simple and holds a medium length finish. 5+12+14+7= 88
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Black cherry and blackberry on the nose. The taste is a bit “gamey” with dark cherries, pepper, and herb notes. The finish has a stiff alcohol percentage and chewy tannins. Definitely best with food.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
A plush, supple, medium body paves the way to sumptuous dark fruit. Palate is delightfully smoky and smoldering. The medium acidity provides a bright foil, while the finish lingers with woodsmoke, iron, and oak. I haven't had this wine for many vintages, but it was great in the past and it's fantastic now.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
I've been drinking Juan Gil for about 10 years and I never tire of it. Rich, full bodied, accommodating, and a wonderful companion to grilled meats. Lovely wine
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Sat, 02/15/20, $2 Tasting (Vintage Wines Ltd., San Diego, CA): Grapes used to produce this wine come from old vyds of chalky & stony soils. Typically, "Maceration & fermentation in s/s tanks @ a controlled temp. After malolactic fermentation & aging in French oak (depending on the characteristics of the harvest), it remains in s/s tanks until it's bottled."
N: Attractively ripe berries with notes of pyrazines; Intensity lurking?
P: Med body; RNDISH entry with NICE, ALMOST swtish frt (approaching threshold R.S.?) met by an astringent pucker which works its way into & through the LONG, balanced finish with a bitter/swtness to the DUSTY tannins. Though (for some) it might be approachable now with hearty fare, I suspect it's safer to say it NEEDS 12-18 mos, then drinking through '24. Nicely done in a sturdy style. 15.5% ABV; My VG+/EXC-, trending towards the higher (particularly with respect to QPR)? 94 pts Falstaff Magazine (10/10/18) & 91 WA. [This vendor's $12.95 puts it in the TOP quartile of wine-searcher's postings.]
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Beautiful, complex and layered nose and taste. Definitely earthy, forest floor, and mushrooms. At least when comparing to a red blend we were also drinking. Will definitely try again as the sole wine.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
What a bargain! Why spend $30, $40 or $50 for a bottle of wine when this beauty can be had for $12 or so? You want fruit? You got it. You want sturdy yet soft tannins? You got it. You want integrated fruit structure and pleasant acidity? Just buy this wine. It matched up surprisingly well with food at a traditional Tepyanaki restaurant even the Nigiri tuna and salmon.I will be heading to my local wine shop for a case tomorrow.
Value $11 Spanish red wine 2016 Bodegas Juan Gil Monastrell Jumilla. Mid-garnet; pomegranate, boysenberry nose; long fruity finish, berries, slightly hot (15.5 alc.); fine wine for the price. 15.5/16 UC Davis; 89 other.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
I really enjoyed this bottle. Leather, cherry stone fruit on the nose. Cherry and raspberry on the palate. There was also some sweetness, but overly so. Just enough to make it jammy.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Tasted blind. Pale ruby, touch of oak on the nose that blows off fairly quick. Spicy and gamey nose with plenty of blue and black fruit. Medium plus tannin, medium body and acidity, only a touch hot (would not suspect 15 abv). Finish is long with black cherry. Guessed southern Rhône. Good example of the grape.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Bu avec le champvallon aux Gibier et Fèves aux Chorizos. Hyper fruité et dense avec des tanins charnus et une finale longue avec une pointe de chauffe, il y a une touche de sucrosité aussi en finale, il passe mieux avec le repas copieux et relevé.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
In a blind tasting, we could not distinguish this from a highly rated jammy Lodi zin, even down to the zippy, briary midpalate and finish. Almost sweet, a bit of a bomb, but oh so delicious, and plenty of sweet spicy darkness and tannins to balance it out. Always a favorite at family gatherings, and sure to be a crowd pleaser at a big barbecue.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Can’t say I love this wine, but don’t despise it either. The smell is barnyard and I feel its taste follows the smell. We’re not lovers of barnyard wines, but if you do, then this wine is for you.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
At first vanilla oak on the nose, but settles down quickly in the glass and is dominated by sweet berries. Smoothed tannins with lots of sweetness on the palate and youthful tannins on the finish.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Been drinking this since 2005 and I want my Juan Gil to remind me I am drinking Spanish Jumilla monastrell, i.e. black pepper, spice, herbs, tannins, meaty. The '16 falls short. I have 2 more bottles so hopefully consumed an off bottle. What I got was a pleasant enough wine with black cherry flavors, which is fine, just not Juan Gil. This happened for the '13 and they righted the ship by the '14, so it's not something I will worry about.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Juan Gil doesn't make a single bad wine. Even this entry-level basic Monastrell is a killer. It wears its 15% alcohol lightly - it's all about the fruit here. Sweet but not cloying, with a lovely herbaceous Mediterranean character, this is a very pure, honest Monastrell. Long, generous, hugely expressive on the finish, this is a joy with a big roast. Ideally drunk slightly chilled, or it becomes too jammy. Top fun.
4/26/2021 - riverbend Likes this wine:
Beautiful
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/6/2020 - Mathias Van Isacker wrote:
Top!
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/19/2020 - Zealousy wrote: 75 Points
This wine came heavily recommended by wineking and the gang, so maybe my expectations were too high
Pale/medium ruby, very light on the edges, almost brick colored, fat sappy legs, not very fragrant, very strong throat-burning alcohol taste, sweetness like artificial sweetness and colored red candies, strawberries, blueberries, chocolate middle notes
Maybe I need to get more experienced to find the depth and complexity, didn't do it for me
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
7/11/2020 - whudock Likes this wine: 90 Points
drinking beautifully right now. Fruit and structure are balanced, lots of depth of flavor and a medium/long finish
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
7/1/2020 - fingers wrote: 88 Points
Notes after an hour open. Dark, slightly inky purple color with heavy legs and no sediment. Profound blackberry bouquet and more moderate vanilla, oak, and baked muffin notes. The palate has big tannins and high heat, but it’s not too out of place with the huge amount of fruit and luckily, the oak lays low. Stays simple and holds a medium length finish. 5+12+14+7= 88
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
6/1/2020 - Nova5400 wrote: 88 Points
Black cherry and blackberry on the nose. The taste is a bit “gamey” with dark cherries, pepper, and herb notes. The finish has a stiff alcohol percentage and chewy tannins. Definitely best with food.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
5/31/2020 - Jayarr wrote: 90 Points
Meat and barnyard is certainly apt for this one. Lots of life left and it improved over time. A little lighter color than expected.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
4/8/2020 - valecnik Likes this wine: 91 Points
A plush, supple, medium body paves the way to sumptuous dark fruit. Palate is delightfully smoky and smoldering. The medium acidity provides a bright foil, while the finish lingers with woodsmoke, iron, and oak. I haven't had this wine for many vintages, but it was great in the past and it's fantastic now.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
4/1/2020 - aperper Likes this wine: 92 Points
I've been drinking Juan Gil for about 10 years and I never tire of it. Rich, full bodied, accommodating, and a wonderful companion to grilled meats. Lovely wine
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
3/27/2020 - vancouvermatt wrote: 92 Points
Early drinking, rich, full bodied at 15.5% but accessible with quick decant
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
3/27/2020 - vancouvermatt wrote: 92 Points
Big wine, 15.5% ABV, but accessible with short decant.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
3/27/2020 - spinnin_and_sippin Likes this wine: 89 Points
Deeply fruity and spicy, full bodied. 15.5% abv but not harsh. Needs at least an hour decant. Almost a 90 but for complexity.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
3/23/2020 - Riccardo Vigoli Likes this wine: 83 Points
Beautiful dark red color. Acidic, so better with food than without. Sharp. Subdued dark berries. Roses.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
3/7/2020 - jcassi01 wrote: 89 Points
Rich, cool purple fruit, with some sweetness. Touch of drying tannin.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
2/28/2020 - jmcmchi Likes this wine: 89 Points
Lighter body than I expected; lots of smooth spice, m hardness softened on finish
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
2/15/2020 - srh Likes this wine:
Sat, 02/15/20, $2 Tasting (Vintage Wines Ltd., San Diego, CA): Grapes used to produce this wine come from old vyds of chalky & stony soils. Typically, "Maceration & fermentation in s/s tanks @ a controlled temp. After malolactic fermentation & aging in French oak (depending on the characteristics of the harvest), it remains in s/s tanks until it's bottled."
N: Attractively ripe berries with notes of pyrazines; Intensity lurking?
P: Med body; RNDISH entry with NICE, ALMOST swtish frt (approaching threshold R.S.?) met by an astringent pucker which works its way into & through the LONG, balanced finish with a bitter/swtness to the DUSTY tannins. Though (for some) it might be approachable now with hearty fare, I suspect it's safer to say it NEEDS 12-18 mos, then drinking through '24. Nicely done in a sturdy style. 15.5% ABV; My VG+/EXC-, trending towards the higher (particularly with respect to QPR)? 94 pts Falstaff Magazine (10/10/18) & 91 WA. [This vendor's $12.95 puts it in the TOP quartile of wine-searcher's postings.]
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
1/22/2020 - remorokoff Likes this wine: 89 Points
Beautiful, complex and layered nose and taste. Definitely earthy, forest floor, and mushrooms. At least when comparing to a red blend we were also drinking. Will definitely try again as the sole wine.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
11/3/2019 - ElAzul Likes this wine: 92 Points
What a bargain! Why spend $30, $40 or $50 for a bottle of wine when this beauty can be had for $12 or so? You want fruit? You got it. You want sturdy yet soft tannins? You got it. You want integrated fruit structure and pleasant acidity? Just buy this wine. It matched up surprisingly well with food at a traditional Tepyanaki restaurant even the Nigiri tuna and salmon.I will be heading to my local wine shop for a case tomorrow.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comments (1)
9/29/2019 - dclaggett wrote: 88 Points
Full, juicy Mourvèdre from Spain. Soft in mouth, red and black fruit profile, some licorice or clove, and med finish.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
9/28/2019 - sdwineguru Likes this wine: 89 Points
Value $11 Spanish red wine 2016 Bodegas Juan Gil Monastrell Jumilla. Mid-garnet; pomegranate, boysenberry nose; long fruity finish, berries, slightly hot (15.5 alc.); fine wine for the price. 15.5/16 UC Davis; 89 other.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
8/5/2019 - Delz Likes this wine:
I really enjoyed this bottle. Leather, cherry stone fruit on the nose. Cherry and raspberry on the palate. There was also some sweetness, but overly so. Just enough to make it jammy.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
7/16/2019 - Gkoz wrote:
Dry, fruity, slightly acidic but not bad
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
7/8/2019 - Portland Seth Likes this wine: 89 Points
Tasty fruit and oak. Plum and blackberry with cedar. Solid structure. Easy drinker.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
6/27/2019 - Polarlow Likes this wine: 80 Points
Really solid read. Tastes pricier than it is. Smooth, easy to drink not super complex, but bold and deep flavor
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
6/4/2019 - Salute Likes this wine: 91 Points
Love this wine. Rich, full, nice balance of fruit/acidity and Old/New world style. Excellent value. (Will give you a black tongue though!)
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
6/1/2019 - Madera16 Likes this wine:
Tasted blind. Pale ruby, touch of oak on the nose that blows off fairly quick. Spicy and gamey nose with plenty of blue and black fruit. Medium plus tannin, medium body and acidity, only a touch hot (would not suspect 15 abv). Finish is long with black cherry. Guessed southern Rhône. Good example of the grape.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
5/4/2019 - Motz wrote: 89 Points
Consistent with previous note. Noticed a 'sweet' savories, pipe tobacco, and worn leather this time. There some alcohol to it.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
4/25/2019 - Mourvedre_MoureProblems Likes this wine: 90 Points
Dark fruits, raisins, some spice, medium plus alcohol, firm tannins, finish of cocoa. Nice wine for QPR.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
3/31/2019 - Motz wrote: 88 Points
Fruity, especially dark berries, raisins, dates, and dried fig. Solid concentration and balance.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
2/24/2019 - maxima wrote: 88 Points
Bu avec le champvallon aux Gibier et Fèves aux Chorizos.
Hyper fruité et dense avec des tanins charnus et
une finale longue avec une pointe de chauffe, il y a
une touche de sucrosité aussi en finale, il passe mieux
avec le repas copieux et relevé.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
2/1/2019 - wahoo70 wrote: 88 Points
In a blind tasting, we could not distinguish this from a highly rated jammy Lodi zin, even down to the zippy, briary midpalate and finish. Almost sweet, a bit of a bomb, but oh so delicious, and plenty of sweet spicy darkness and tannins to balance it out. Always a favorite at family gatherings, and sure to be a crowd pleaser at a big barbecue.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
1/6/2019 - Deatzin wrote: 87 Points
Can’t say I love this wine, but don’t despise it either. The smell is barnyard and I feel its taste follows the smell. We’re not lovers of barnyard wines, but if you do, then this wine is for you.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/30/2018 - thewiz Likes this wine:
At first vanilla oak on the nose, but settles down quickly in the glass and is dominated by sweet berries. Smoothed tannins with lots of sweetness on the palate and youthful tannins on the finish.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/29/2018 - Boutip Likes this wine: 89 Points
Deep red color wine with some dark cherry notes with some tannin, no much residual sugar notes with nice amount of complexities for price point.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/6/2018 - peeks13 wrote: 87 Points
Been drinking this since 2005 and I want my Juan Gil to remind me I am drinking Spanish Jumilla monastrell, i.e. black pepper, spice, herbs, tannins, meaty. The '16 falls short. I have 2 more bottles so hopefully consumed an off bottle. What I got was a pleasant enough wine with black cherry flavors, which is fine, just not Juan Gil. This happened for the '13 and they righted the ship by the '14, so it's not something I will worry about.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
5/31/2018 - ricard Likes this wine: 91 Points
Juan Gil doesn't make a single bad wine. Even this entry-level basic Monastrell is a killer. It wears its 15% alcohol lightly - it's all about the fruit here. Sweet but not cloying, with a lovely herbaceous Mediterranean character, this is a very pure, honest Monastrell. Long, generous, hugely expressive on the finish, this is a joy with a big roast. Ideally drunk slightly chilled, or it becomes too jammy. Top fun.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comments (1)
1/18/2018 - Joe Kane wrote:
Silver label. Ripe black and blue fruit, Dried sawdust character, herbaceous, tannic structure, high alcohol. Awesome for price!
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment