Bodegas Olivares

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Country of Origin: Spain
Location: Jumilla, Murcia
People: Olivares family, Owner | Francisco ("Paco") Selva, President | Pascual Olivares, Winemaker
Viticulture: Practicing Organic

Items

Bodegas Olivares 2021 'Altos De La Hoya' Old Vine Monastrell, Jumilla DO Login WA 91 In Stock
Bodegas Olivares (500 ml) 2017 Dulce Monastrell, Jumilla DO Login WA 93+ WA 94 DEC 92 In Stock

Bodegas Olivares is located in the northwest corner of the Jumilla appellation, 150 miles southeast of Madrid. At over 800 meters, the estate vineyards are some of the highest in the DO. This provides a climate that shares Jumilla’s warm days, but whose nights are considerably cooler than the rest of the appellation. Grape ripening is prolonged, which results in aromatic wines with astounding freshness and equilibrium.

Within the 275 hectares of Bodegas Olivares, 110 hectares of old, ungrafted Monastrell vines stand out. The ungrafted vines are rare survivors of the phylloxera epidemic that spread across Europe at the end 19th century. The only salvation was to graft older, European varieties onto disease resistant, American rootstocks. To this day, 99% of Europe’s vineyards can only survive when grafted onto American rootstock. Olivares vines are planted on their original rootstock in sandy soil: a unique feature that produces wines of distinct character. The sand increases the rich perfume while the rootstock enhances the depth and complexity. Farming is organic; no artificial fertilizers or pesticides are used.

Prior to 1998, the Selva family’s business was in bulk wine, but each year they made a dessert wine for own consumption. This wine was reserved solely for the family until 1998, when they began to commercialize it. It was an immediate sensation in Spain, with top restaurants and shops rushing to feature it. Inspired by the success, the Selva family turned its attention to producing sumptuous red wines from the priceless old vines. The first release was in 2000.

Wine Advocate 12/29/2017
"Olivares is one of the most reliable producers in Jumilla. Very good value for money."

Reviews

  • Olivares (500 ml) 2017 Dulce Monastrell, Jumilla DO
    The Wine Advocate
    Rating: 93+ (9/10/2020)
    The notes of tomato vine and black olives are always a giveaway for their sweet Monastrell, of which I tasted the 2017 Dulce Monastrell, a sweet wine that has the tannin and structure of the dry red wines from the region balanced by some 230 grams of acidity and fortified to 16% alcohol. The tannins and alcohol make the wine come through as balanced and not as sweet as you might imagine given the amount of sugar it has. This is bottled unoaked and matured exclusively in bottle. It's the Mediterranean alternative to a young Ruby Port.
  • Olivares (500 ml) 2017 Dulce Monastrell, Jumilla DO
    The Wine Advocate
    Rating: 94 (4/29/2022)
    I just love the expressive nose of tomato vine, Mediterranean herbs and black olive of the 2017 Dulce Monastrell, a sweet fortified red I had already tasted and which seems to be evolving at a glacial pace. It has the tannin and structure of the dry red wines from the region, balanced by some 230 grams of acidity and fortified to 16% alcohol. The tannins and alcohol make the wine come through as balanced and not as sweet as you might imagine given the amount of sugar it has. This is bottled unoaked and matured exclusively in bottle. It's the Mediterranean alternative to a young Ruby Port.
  • Olivares (500 ml) 2017 Dulce Monastrell, Jumilla DO
    Decanter
    Rating: 92 (10/15/2022)

    Olivares has an impressive expanse of old-vine, ungrafted Monastrell. The standout is its sweet wine. Fermentation is stopped to give balance of 16% alcohol and 200g/L residual sugar. It's all about fruit and its lower alcohol and layers of figs, dark fruit and licorice, make it a bargain buy.

  • Olivares 2021 'Altos De La Hoya' Old Vine Monastrell, Jumilla DO
    The Wine Advocate
    Rating: 91 (1/18/2024)
    The 2021 Altos de la Hoya is a varietal Monastrell from dry-farmed vines on poor limestone-rich soils with some 5% Garnacha in the blend. It has notes of ripe berries, aromatic herbs and an earthy touch and a round palate with juicy fruit and fine tannins. It's very pleasant and fresh.