Description

Carabibas Monastrell | DO Alicante, Spain

Carabibas Monastrell is a small-production red from Bodegas Sierra de Cabreras, made from 100% Monastrell grown in Salinas, in Alicante’s Alto Vinalopó.

The old bush vines grow at around 550 metres above sea level on poor limestone soils rich in caliche. Because the vineyards sit at altitude, cooler nights help the grapes retain freshness. Meanwhile, Alicante’s Mediterranean sunshine allows the Monastrell to reach full ripeness and develop plenty of flavour.

The winery harvests the grapes by hand and carefully selects the best bunches. It then uses gravity to move the fruit gently through the winery before fermentation. Afterwards, the wine matures in fine-grained French oak barrels, which add complexity while allowing the Monastrell fruit to remain at the centre of the wine.

On the nose, ripe blackberry and plum come first, followed by spice, dried herbs and subtle Mediterranean notes. The palate feels juicy and generous, with concentrated dark fruit and good structure. However, the wine never becomes overly heavy. Freshness from the high-altitude vineyards keeps everything balanced, while the oak adds a gentle savoury character.

As a result, Carabibas Monastrell combines the warmth and richness we expect from Mediterranean Monastrell with freshness and elegance. It’s a characterful Alicante red that works particularly well with grilled meats, slow-cooked dishes and mature cheeses.

---

🍇 Key Details

• Region: DO Alicante, Spain
• Grape: 100% Monastrell
• Vine Age: 40+ years
• Ageing: French oak barrels
• Alcohol: 14% Vol.
• Style: Fruity, structured & Mediterranean
• Serving Temperature: 16°C
• Contains Sulphites

---

🍷 Tasting Notes

• Appearance: Deep, intense red.
• Aroma: Ripe blackberry and plum with spice, dried herbs and wild Mediterranean notes.
• Palate: Juicy and generous, with concentrated dark fruit, good structure and a balanced touch of oak. Freshness keeps the finish lively and persistent.

---

🍽 Food Pairing

Perfect with:

• Grilled lamb
• Roast meats
• Beef
• Game
• Mediterranean stews
• Alicante rice dishes
• Pasta with rich sauces
• Mature cheeses

---

💎 Why We Love It

A beautifully authentic Alicante Monastrell with ripe fruit, Mediterranean character and plenty of depth. The old vines and high-altitude vineyards give it a lovely balance between richness and freshness.

---

About the Producer

Bodegas Sierra de Cabreras, home of Carabibas, was founded in 2009 in Salinas, in the Alto Vinalopó region of Alicante. Its vineyards sit between the Sierra de Salinas, Sierra de Cabreras and the Salinas lagoon, at an average altitude of around 550 metres.

The winery is deliberately small and focuses on Monastrell and Merseguera, two varieties with a strong connection to this part of Alicante. Its philosophy centres on small production, minimal intervention, manual harvesting and allowing the differences between vineyard sites and soils to show through in the wines.

The Monastrell comes from old bush vines planted on limestone soils containing abundant caliche, while its Merseguera grows on sandier, silty soils closer to the old lagoon. This contrast between grape varieties, soils and microclimates is at the heart of the Carabibas project.

Explore more in our Red wine collection.