Alicante Bouschet by Tarima | DO Alicante, Spain

Alicante Bouschet by Tarima is an intense and characterful red from Bodegas Volver, combining Alicante Bouschet — known in Spain as Garnacha Tintorera — with old-vine Monastrell. Both varieties have deep roots in Alicante, and together they create a powerful Mediterranean wine with concentration, ripe fruit and impressive structure.

The grapes come from several vineyards in the Medio Vinalopó, between the Sierra de Salinas, Umbría and La Sima. The Monastrell grows as traditional bush vines planted between 1935 and 1970, while the Alicante Bouschet vineyards date from approximately 1980–1985. The vines grow under dry-farmed conditions on shallow limestone soils, where low yields naturally concentrate flavour in the grapes.

The team harvests each variety at optimum ripeness, starting with Alicante Bouschet around mid-September and following with Monastrell in early October. They select the grapes carefully at the winery and ferment each vineyard parcel separately in open stainless-steel tanks using indigenous yeasts.

After fermentation, the wine moves into new French oak barrels for malolactic fermentation. Each parcel then continues to mature separately for approximately 18 months before the final blend comes together. The winery bottles the wine unfiltered, preserving its concentration and character.

In the glass, Alicante Bouschet by Tarima delivers intense ripe red and black fruit alongside mineral notes and well-integrated oak. The palate feels broad, powerful and concentrated, yet balanced acidity and a silky texture keep everything beautifully composed. A remarkably long finish adds another layer of richness and personality.

This is Alicante with the volume turned up — old vines, Mediterranean warmth and serious concentration, but with enough freshness and balance to keep all that power under control.

🍇 Key Details

• Region: DO Alicante (Spain)
• Grapes: Alicante Bouschet (Garnacha Tintorera) & Monastrell
• Vine Age: Monastrell planted 1935–1970; Alicante Bouschet planted 1980–1985, Altitude approximately 650–750 metres
• Harvest: Hand-harvested with grape selection
• Ageing: Approximately 18 months in French oak
• Bottling: Unfiltered
• Alcohol: 15.5% Vol.
• Style: Powerful, concentrated, silky
• Serving Temperature: 16°C
• Contains Sulfites

🍷 Tasting Notes

• Appearance: Intense deep cherry red with vivid red and ruby reflections
• Aroma: Ripe red and black fruit with mineral notes and elegant touches of oak
• Palate: Broad, powerful and concentrated with balanced acidity, silky texture and an exceptionally long finish

🍽 Food Pairing

• Grilled red meats
• Roast lamb
• Game
• Rich meat stews
• Mountain-style rice dishes
• Ibérico charcuterie
• Mature cheeses

💎 Why We Love It

A bold Alicante red with serious personality. Old vines, ripe Mediterranean fruit and 18 months in French oak create impressive depth, while the silky texture keeps all that power beautifully balanced.

About the Producer

Bodegas Volver is the project of winemaker and viticulturist Rafael Cañizares, whose family has worked with vineyards and wine for four generations. He founded the project in the early 2000s with a clear focus on recovering old vineyards and highlighting the character of traditional Spanish grape varieties.

Alicante plays a particularly important role in the winery’s identity. Here, Monastrell and Alicante Bouschet thrive in the dry Mediterranean landscape of the Vinalopó, where altitude, limestone soils and low rainfall create naturally concentrated grapes.

The vineyards used for Alicante Bouschet by Tarima sit between the Sierra de Salinas, Umbría and La Sima. The surrounding mountains create a distinctive microclimate with continental conditions and Mediterranean influence, while elevations reaching around 650–750 metres help preserve freshness in the grapes.

Bodegas Volver handles the individual vineyard parcels separately throughout fermentation and ageing. This approach allows the team to preserve the character of each site before bringing the components together in the final wine.

Alicante Bouschet by Tarima showcases another side of Alicante — powerful and deeply Mediterranean, yet polished, balanced and capable of considerable complexity.

Explore more in our Red wine collection.