Bullas is one of the most unique areas in Spain for old vine Monastrell based wines and is arguably set to eclipse better known areas like Jumilla due to a specific microclimate and ancient vines which produce wines of great intensity. 3000 Años is a deep purple wine with pronounced aromas of black fruits and chicory characters - unique to Bullas Monastrell - toasty wood, cedar and cappucino. Despite being a full bodied wine, it is surprisingly elegant with crisp acidity, tight tannins, a creamy vanilla texture and a long mineral finish. Cellar a few bottles for up to 10 years to enjoy even more character and complexity at a later date, although it is also drinking brilliantly now with game, venison, wild boar and punchy ragout or tomato-based dishes.

The vineyards are amongst the highest altitude in Bullas at over 800m above sea level with complex limestone and volcanic soils. Vines are dry grown and unirrigated in this inhospitable Mediterranean / Continental climate with extremes of temperature. Of the three Murcian DOs, Bullas has a fresher, longer growing season which favours minerality and balance in the wines. Low annual rainfall of 200-300mm and the remarkable climate combine to produce remarkable wines. The Monastrell grapes are from ancient (70-100 years old) bush vines rigorously selected so that yields were as low as 1.5kg per vine. The fruit was stored for 48hrs in a cool room to chill it to 4 degrees C. Bunches were selected to optimise quality and then crushed to tank and held at below 10 degrees C to "cold soak" for up to 10 days. Temperature was then allowed to rise steadily to facilitate wild fermentation. Individual tanks were then inoculated with Rhone isolated yeasts and plunged and gently pumped over to obtain gentle extraction. A few tanks were also allowed extended maceration after fermentation to add weight and complexity. The Syrah was similarly selected very carefully and a small cuvee of the best tanks was blended and put to barrel for malolactic fermentation. 100% new French oak was chosen with a variety of coopers with low to medium toast, so as not to dominate the wine. Similarly, a selection of larger barrels (500 litres) was chosen to avoid oxidation and to respect the typicity of the Monastrell and Syrah grapes. The barrels were roatated on runners to ensure complete mixing of wine and lees. As a result, the wood integration and mouthfeel have been optimised. Due to cold winter temperatures a long natural malolactic fermentation took place, finally finishing in spring 2007. The wine was bottled at end of November 2007 and released in February 2008.

Available from

Well Oiled Wine Company

Recommendations

"The 2006 3000 Años is a splendid example of old-vine Monastrell (50%) blended with 50% Syrah from the little-known D.O. of Bullas. It was aged for 12 months in 500-liter new French oak with batonnage by rotation of the barrels. Opaque purple-colored, it delivers a brooding, very Provencal nose of cedar, garrigue, violets, lavender, blueberry, and blackberry. This leads to a layered, ripe, structured, strapping wine with enough tannin to evolve for 6-8 years. The wine has more than enough fruit to provide balance and the finish is long and pure. Drink it from 2013 through 2025." 93 points - Dr. Jay Miller, The Wine Advocate

Notes

1 Prices quoted are guide prices only and may vary between stockists and if the product is on promotion. 2   We cannot guarantee availability of products at the stockists listed.