There is another side to Jumilla. Beyond the powerful, sun-drenched reds lies a new generation of winemakers searching for freshness, elegance and a more transparent expression of monastrell. Camaleónica 2022 by Doble de Pérez is a perfect example of this exciting movement.
Doble de Pérez is a small family micro-winery committed to expressing place. Jennifer Pérez Pérez is in charge of the winemaking. The grapes come from 50-year-old ungrafted monastrell vines growing at around 900 metres above sea level on limestone soils in the Hoya de Santa Ana vineyard. Hand-harvested fruit is fermented spontaneously with indigenous yeasts, without unnecessary additives. Around a quarter of the grapes undergo carbonic maceration with whole bunches, while the remainder is gently crushed and fermented separately before the wine spends six months ageing in a combination of clay amphorae and previously used 300-litre French oak barrels. It is bottled unfiltered and unfined, with only a very small addition of sulphur.
Camaleónica 2022 (Doble de Pérez)
In the glass, the wine shows a bright ruby colour with youthful purple highlights. The nose offers wild red berries, woodland herbs, strawberry, carob and delicate floral notes. The palate is vibrant and silky, combining juicy red fruit with lively acidity, fine-grained tannins and a mineral backbone that gives remarkable freshness for monastrell. Long, energetic and beautifully balanced.
Price: Medium