Producer: Mad Dogs & Englishmen
Wine: Shiraz Cabernet Monastrell
Vintage: 2003
Country: Spain
Appellation: Jumilla
Wine Type: Red
Varietal: Shiraz 30%/Cabernet Sauvignon 20%/Monastrell 50%
Grade: B+
Designation: Good and Cheap
Price: $11

Mad Dogs and Englishmen by Noel Coward

“In tropical climes there are certain times of day
When all the citizens retire to tear their clothes off and perspire.
It’s one of the rules that the greatest fools obey,
Because the sun is much too sultry
And one must avoid its ultry-violet ray.
The natives grieve when the white men leave their huts,
Because they’re obviously, definitely nuts!
Mad dogs and Englishmen go out in the midday sun…”

The sun. Definitely, must be the sun. I picked this wine up not just for the label but also because I was interested to see what wine from some Brits living in southern Spain would be like. Apparently the extreme heat toasted their brains a bit . . . not that that’s a bad thing.

[More:]

Jumilla is a relatively new appellation southeast from Madrid. The primary grape in this Mad Dog is the Monastrell, which is known as Mourvèdre in France where it originated. This is a rustic grape that does well in the heat, which is necessary to survive in Jumilla—it’s more akin to a desert than a tropical paradise. Apparently the 2003 season in Jumilla was hotter than usual and helped produce ripe and juicy fruit that only benefitted the wine. The Monastrell presents strong raspberry flavors with rustic aromatics on the palate. This is tempered with pepper from the Shiraz grape and a deeper, rounder mouth from the Cabernet. There’s not a long finish to this wine but it’s intriguing just the same. Judging from the label you first anticipate Shiraz characteristics. Cabernet Sauvignon is on the label too and you expect that grape to supercede the Shiraz. Neither really happens but these more sophisticated grapes actually help to rein in the rusticity of the Monastrell and elevate it. The Mad Dog is a vibrant, well-integrated wine that surprises in its character. It’s rich and spicy but easy to drink. Makes a good everyday wine that goes well with grilled meats, spicy foods, and probably a good hot dog. Pass the mustard, please. (08/06/05)

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