Website: http://vinacerron.com/
Jumilla is a wine region in the southeast of Spain, in the province of Murcia. The climate here is hot and the main grape is Monastreall (also known as Mourvèdre). The early arrival of winegrowing in this region can be credited to the Phoenicians, and the practice was continued by the Romans. The altitude supports the growth of the vines with most vineyards located at 350-800 m, in a continental climate. Soil composition plays an equally significant role: the deep layers of limestone allow the vines to thrive even when the annual rainfall is as low as 300 mm.
Making a notable presence in this region is Bodega Cerrón, touted as one of the leading wineries. In their commitment to sustainable practices, they farm biodynamically (certified by Demeter) and cultivate vineyards at 800-1000 m, the highest part of the appellation. The vine-growing is done in a natural manner, with the only addition being 20 ppm of sulfites at the time of bottling. To add to this, many of their vines are ungrafted (known as pie franco).
In addition to Bodega Cerrón, they are also recognized under the Stratum Wines label.
These are stunning wines, quite different to any I’ve experienced before from Jumilla.
Bodega Cerrón Stratum Wines Matas Altas Blanco Viñas Viejas 2022 Jumilla, Spain
Vines planted in the 1970s. Lively and mineral with bright, stony-edged fruit. Vivid with great precision and nice tension, as well as keen acidity. Linear and bright with nice stoniness. 94/100
Bodega Cerrón ‘El Tiempo Que Nos Un’ Monastrell 2012 Jumilla, Spain
14% alcohol. ‘Time brings us together’. 15-50 year old Monastrell, 50% whole bunch in concrete. No temperature control. Supple, bright and linear with nice freshness and focus. Lovely precision. Juicy and fine with purity. Brilliant stuff, and great value for money. 95/100
Bodega Cerrón Redordimento 2022 Jumilla, Spain
14% alcohol. 10% Garnacha Tinto, whole bunch; 90% Monastrell, 50% whole bunch. Aged in big barrels and concrete. Fresh, supple and bright with lovely cherry and plum fruit as well as nice grainy structure. Some depth here: really fresh with nice balance. Juicy, supple and linear. 94/100
Bodega Cerron Stratum Wines Matas Altas Tinto 2022 Jumilla, Spain
Ungrafted vines grown at 550-1000 m. 90% Monastrell. Supple, fine and linear with great precision to the fresh yet silky cherry fruit. Nice structure and focus with real finesse as well as pepper and red cherries. Such precision to this wine. 95/100
Bodega Cerron Stratum Wines La Servil 2022 Jumilla, Spain
This is from a single vineyard in the mountains, and it’s sort of Monastrell meets Nebbiolo in style. So supple and fresh with lovely fine-grained tannins. Quite silky but also possessing good structure under the fresh red fruits. Stony, mineral and bright with purity and good acidity. Profound. 96/100
Bodega Cerron Stratum Wines Les Yesares 2022 Jumilla, Spain
This is from a vineyard planted in 1942 and 1967, where the mother limestone rock is fractured so the roots can penetrated deeper. So fresh and layered, perfumed and textural. Has grippy tannins under the silky red cherry and raspberry fruit. Real finesse and focus here with great precision and balance. 96/100