El Nido Clio 2006

From Jumilla, Spain, the El Nido Clio is 70% Monastrell, 30% Cab. Dark color, dark fruit, inky, tarry. Something offputting on the nose, maybe petroleum, but once you get past that it's an opulent dark cherry, dark raspberry, and cola. In the taste the dark fruits predominate, but a bit of regular cherry and some oakiness is there too, a bit toasty. The mouthweight is very thick, viscous, coats the whole mouth, a bit chewy. The fruit and alcohol are both high, tannins well integrated, and since it's all put together well there's nothing bad about the taste of components that might be overwhelming if not balanced. It's a good bottle, but I echo some of the thoughts of others that compare it to Aussie dark fruit Shiraz. Maybe that's a Chris Ringland trait, and since I like some of his wines, maybe explains liking this one. About $45. Tasted January, 2010.