The nose of the 2020 Dulce Monastrell has the textbook descriptors for this sweet wine: tomato vine, black olives and Mediterranean herbs, really unmistakable. It's a modern take on the traditional sweet wines from the zone and was produced from un-grafted, 55-year-old Monastrell harvested in early November, with slightly overripe grapes. The grapes go through a long maceration in cement vats, over 30 days, and fermented partially with indigenous yeasts and then fortified to 16% alcohol. It is bottled unoaked with no less than 260 grams of sugar. It's dense, thick and full-bodied, sweet and with enough tannins to evolve in bottle and go with strong cheeses and chocolate desserts. 27,000 half-liter bottles were produced. It was bottled in February 2023. - LG

Lush prunes, licorice syrup, candied figs and chocolate fudge. Luscious and concentrated on the palate with lots of sweetness here. Has enough freshness to provide balance, although this is definitely a wine to drink with all kinds of dark chocolate and chocolate desserts. Drink now.