2022 Idilico Monastrell

Javier Alfonso came from Ribera del Duero (Spain) to pursue a Washington aeronautics degree in 1995 and stayed to make Spanish-variety wine — Idilico is that label. Monastrell, Mourvèdre's Spanish name, is barely planted here. This 2022 is estate fruit from his Konnowac vineyard in the Yakima Valley, where cool nights keep it bright. Ten days on skins, nine months in neutral oak. Red plum, black raspberry, blood orange, cracked pepper, a gamey edge. Fewer than 140 cases.