Juan Gil Silver Label 2022

Juan Gil Silver Label 2022 is a rich, expressive, and highly concentrated organic red wine that masterfully showcases the power and depth of old-vine Spanish Monastrell. Grown in high-altitude limestone soils, it reveals a dark cherry color with vibrant violet glints. The nose opens with a fragrant, complex bouquet of creamed black cherries, juicy plums, and wild blackberries, beautifully intertwined with floral hints of tea rose and violet, dried rosemary, and graphite. On the palate, it is full-bodied, dense, and powerful, yet balanced by a surprising freshness and laser-focused acidity that counters its ripe fruit character. Structured layers of cocoa, white pepper, and subtle sweet spices evolve across silky, finely grained tannins, leading into a long, persistent, and smoky finish.

Food Pairing: The muscular structure and fruit-forward intensity of this Monastrell make it a spectacular pairing for hearty, flavorful dishes. It pairs wonderfully with barbecue or grilled red meats, smoked brisket, roasted lamb shank, and rich venison stews. It also complements savory comfort foods such as meat lasagna, gourmet bacon burgers, and chorizo paella, as well as wood-fired mushroom pizzas and mature, cured cheeses like Manchego or blue cheese.

The 2022 Silver Label now shows the name on the label (and also "Etiqueta Plateada" in Spanish). It's their first wine in their new era, which started in 2002, a wine that aims to promote the quality and potential of Monastrell. It matured in new and second-use French oak barrels for one year, but they were looking for lower toast and less impact of the wood in the wine than earlier vintages when it was 100% new oak. It has a paler color and a subtler and more floral nose, keeping the poise and showing surprisingly fresh for the conditions of the year. It's ripe, reflecting the warm and dry weather, with 15% alcohol but very good freshness, coming through as balanced and harmonious, clean and pure. This is a bargain and a success for the year, a champion in drinkability.