Bodegas Olivares Rosado 2023

Here at the shop, Spain's Jumilla DO is always a go-to for outstanding bang-for-the-buck reds and, more recently, terrific whites and pinks. The native Monastrell grape, known as Mourvèdre in France, first put the region onto the radar of wine lovers, thanks to the grape's uncanny ability to flourish in the hot and dry summers typical of Mediterranean Spain.

The Jumilla DO is home to some of Spain's best value-driven wines, and the wines crafted here by Paco Selva at Bodegas Olivares truly set themselves apart from the rest. They consistently surpass our expectations and drink miles above their "value" status.

Bodegas Olivares is located in the northwestern corner of Jumilla, and the estate's vineyard benefits from its high elevation of over 800 meters, contributing to the wines' notable freshness and balance. The estate's vineyards are particularly famous for their sandy soils and ungrafted vines. These ungrafted vines, one of the world's most extensive contiguous holdings, are a rarity since the Phylloxera pest devastated most European vineyards in the late 19th century. This rarity, combined with sustainable farming practices dating back to the 1930s, allows the estate to produce wines without the need for chemical interventions, maintaining healthy vine growth and minimizing disease while preserving the integrity of the land for future generations.

Until 1998, the Selva family primarily produced bulk wine; however, they also produced a special dessert wine called Dulce exclusively for their personal consumption. Dulce was made from grapes left on the vine until late fall, achieving exceptional ripeness, and the resulting wine was gently fortified to provide longevity.

Beginning in 1998, the family started selling Dulce commercially, and it quickly won a following in Spain's top restaurants and bottle shops. Encouraged by the success of their sweet elixir, Paco Selva turned his attention to crafting high-quality red table wines using these venerable old vines.

This hand-harvested pink gem is made entirely from Garnacha and is sourced from high-altitude vineyards near the village of Tobarra. The family has tended these vineyards for generations, and they've been dry-farmed without chemical fertilizers, herbicides, or pesticides for over 80 years.

In your glass, the vibrant pink hue introduces notes of red berry, strawberry, and orange zest on the nose, leading to a zippy and zingy palate of strawberry, blood orange, and a delicate whisper of pomegranate.

Pair this super-tasty pink bargain with grilled, pan-seared, and fried fish, chicken salad, and, of course, Paella.