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Comparison

Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon vs Jumilla Monastrell

How Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon and Jumilla Monastrell differ, dimension by dimension.

The short answer

The main differences: Jumilla Monastrell has more earthy character; Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon has more herbal / green character; Jumilla Monastrell has more spice.

Choose

Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon

Choose Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon if you want something more herbal and green, fresher and more acidic.

Choose

Jumilla Monastrell

Choose Jumilla Monastrell if you want something earthier, spicier, stronger and warmer.

Where they genuinely differ

Only differences large enough to notice in the glass are listed here. A gap of half a point on a five-point scale is noise, and WineHQ does not dress it up as a finding.

Earthy character

Clear difference

Forest floor, mushroom, wet stone, clay and undergrowth notes. Frequently, though not exclusively, associated with cooler and more traditional styles.

Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignonlow (1/5)
Jumilla Monastrelltypically medium-plus, ranging from medium to medium-plus (4/5)

Jumilla Monastrell is earthier: medium-plus against low.

Herbal / green character

Clear difference

Herbs, grass, blackcurrant leaf, capsicum and other green notes, largely driven by methoxypyrazines and picking decisions.

Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignontypically medium, ranging from low-medium to medium-plus (3/5)
Jumilla Monastrelllow (1/5)

Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon is more herbal and green: medium against low.

Spice

Clear difference

Pepper, clove, cinnamon and related spice notes, whether from the grape (as with rotundone in Syrah) or from oak.

Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignonlow (1/5)
Jumilla Monastrelltypically medium, ranging from low-medium to medium-plus (3/5)

Jumilla Monastrell is spicier: medium against low.

Acidity

Clear difference

Total perceived acidity. Rises in cooler climates and with earlier picking; falls with heat and ripeness.

Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignontypically medium-plus, ranging from medium to medium-plus (4/5)
Jumilla Monastrelltypically medium, ranging from low-medium to medium-plus (3/5)

Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon is fresher and more acidic: medium-plus against medium.

Alcohol

Clear difference

Perceived alcoholic strength, which tracks actual ABV but is modified by sweetness, acidity and body.

Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignontypically medium-plus, ranging from medium to medium-plus (4/5)
Jumilla Monastrelltypically high, ranging from medium-plus to high (5/5)

Jumilla Monastrell is stronger and warmer: high against medium-plus.

Savoury character

Clear difference

Non-fruit, umami-adjacent character: meat, leather, olive, soy, broth, cured notes. Often increases with age.

Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignontypically medium, ranging from low-medium to medium-plus (3/5)
Jumilla Monastrelltypically medium-plus, ranging from medium to high (4/5)

Jumilla Monastrell is more savoury: medium-plus against medium.

Where they are much the same

Just as useful: knowing which parts of the choice do not matter.

  • Sweetness: Similar — both low.
  • Tannin: Similar — both medium-plus.
  • Body: Similar — both medium-plus.
  • Fruit intensity: Similar — both medium-plus.
  • Aromatic intensity: Similar — both medium.

Full side by side

DimensionMargaret River Cabernet SauvignonJumilla Monastrell
Earthy characterlow (1/5)typically medium-plus, ranging from medium to medium-plus (4/5)
Herbal / green charactertypically medium, ranging from low-medium to medium-plus (3/5)low (1/5)
Spicelow (1/5)typically medium, ranging from low-medium to medium-plus (3/5)
Aciditytypically medium-plus, ranging from medium to medium-plus (4/5)typically medium, ranging from low-medium to medium-plus (3/5)
Alcoholtypically medium-plus, ranging from medium to medium-plus (4/5)typically high, ranging from medium-plus to high (5/5)
Savoury charactertypically medium, ranging from low-medium to medium-plus (3/5)typically medium-plus, ranging from medium to high (4/5)
Perceived freshnesstypically medium-plus, ranging from medium to medium-plus (4/5)typically medium, ranging from low-medium to medium (3/5)
Sweetnesslow (1/5)low (1/5)
Tannintypically medium-plus, ranging from medium to high (4/5)typically medium-plus, ranging from medium to medium-plus (4/5)
Bodytypically medium-plus, ranging from medium to high (4/5)typically medium-plus, ranging from medium to high (4/5)
Fruit intensitytypically medium-plus, ranging from medium to medium-plus (4/5)typically medium-plus, ranging from medium to high (4/5)
Aromatic intensitymedium (3/5)medium (3/5)
Oak influencetypically medium, ranging from low-medium to medium-plus (3/5)typically medium, ranging from low to medium-plus (3/5)
Floral characterlow (1/5)low (1/5)
Carbonationlow (1/5)low (1/5)
Texturetypically medium-plus, ranging from medium to medium-plus (4/5)typically medium-plus, ranging from medium to medium-plus (4/5)
Serve at16–18°C16–18°C
Typical flavourscassis, black cherry, bay leaf, graphite, cedarblackberry, plum, earth, game, liquorice

Values are typical points within each wine’s range. Both wines vary — see the individual pages for how much.

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