Liked this. It’s a bit of a bruiser, but there’s lots of interest. It’s an ambitious Mourvedre (aka Monastrell) from the south of Spain, made by Rioja company Artadi, and imported into the UK by FMV.
Artadi El Sequé 2009 Alicante, Spain
14.5% alcohol. 100% Monastrell, which is the same as Mourvèdre. Powerful and intense with lovely sweet black cherry and blackberry fruit, as well as some dense, spicy, slightly tarry notes. It’s a big, dark, rich wine, but fruit is driving the flavour, not oak, which is a good thing. I like the definition here. Some drying tannins on the finish. This is a big, delicious wine, not aiming at elegance. Vivid and concentrated, it’s an interesting expression of this grape variety. 92/100 (£25 Berry Bros & Rudd)
We tasted this two weeks ago in our shop and thought it rather expensive compared to Bodegas Castaño’s Hecula Monastrell (retail € 8,95), which is equally fruit-driven, powerful and concentrated. El Sequé is a nice wine, but not for the price! By the way: never expect elegance from Monastrell in a warm climate, it is always a big wine.
Hello Jamie, greetings from Spain. I met you at the wine tasting in Oslo a few weeks ago, where I presented my natural wine Alma de Almorqui. I just wanted to let you know that El Seque is about 7 km from our bodega. This year’s vintage is very promising! Erik
For clarification and in response to Ralph’s email, the price mentioned on Jamie’s article refers to the El Seque…the Artadi flagship wine from Alicante.
Laderas de El Seque retails at €9.95.
Both wines offer splendid value in their respective price category.
I would be happy to send a sample of the Laderas de El Seque 2010 to Ralph should he wish to make a fair comparative tasting with what the competition has to offer at the same price point.
Regards,
Martine – Buyer at FMV.