The 2012 Casa de la Ermita Roble is a blend of 80% Monastrell and 20% Petit Verdot sourced from the slopes of El Carche, one of the main mountain ranges in Jumilla (the other one is El Molar), at 700 meters altitude, and aged for three months in oak barrels. Quite straightforward with black and red fruit, licorice, smoke and spicy notes (vanilla), a medium-bodied palate with good acidity. 60,000 bottles produced. Drink 2013-2015. Casa de la Ermita was one of the leading bodegas in the Jumilla appellation at the turn of the century (it was created in 1999). They were the first to produce Petit Verdot in the region and they grew in volume very quickly. I cannot say that I found their last collection of wines very inspiring and I couldn’t recommend some of the wines tasted. They own 153 hectares of vineyards and produce half a million bottles of wines per year. Importer: Massanois Imports, Washington DC; tel. (202) 470-6769

Gritty aromas of licorice and raisin are hot and fiery, while the palate is more acidic and thus it feels sharp and crisp. Flavors of raisin and ripe strawberry are herbal and a bit milky from the oak, and the finish is raisin-tinged as well. Monastrell with 20% Petit Verdot.——M.S.(11/1/2010)—— 84