2020 Casa Castillo Monastrell [WA92+]

Producer: Casa Castillo 
Region: Jumilla, Spain 
Blend: 80% Monastrell (Mourvèdre), 20% Garnacha (Grenache) 
Year: 2020 

Wine Advocate, 92+ Points 

"The 2020 Monastrell is pure Monastrell in this exceptional vintage for the grape (in previous years it had up to 20% Garnacha, but there was little Garnacha in 2020). The grapes come from sandy vineyards on the valley floor, and they fermented in stainless steel with indigenous yeasts and a shortish maceration. The wine matured in 500-liter oak barrels and 5,000-liter oak vats for nine months. In 2020, there were more grapes from old vines that were used before for the Vino de Finca, which was discontinued. This wine is very aromatic, elegant, expressive and reaching a level I have not seen before in this wine. It's refreshing, light, balanced, nuanced, with velvety tannins and very clean, really transcending its price point. Balanced is the word, and it's also available and affordable and sets the tone for the 2020s. 186,000 bottles produced. There are different lots of this wine from the same master blend. I tasted the first bottling from October 2021." 

Winemaker Notes: 

"A good way to get a feel for the quality of a producer in Burgundy is to taste their Bourgogne Rouge and one gets the feeling that Jose Maria feels the same way. The Jumilla from Casa Castillo is made from younger vines sourced mainly from La Valle vineyard where the soils are silty and the grapes have more of a varietal expression than his rockier vineyards. Once labeled Monastrell José Maria has been incorporating increasing amounts of Garnacha into this wine so that now it is about 80% Monastrell with 20% Garnacha. After a natural fermentation in tank the wine is aged for 8-9 months in neutral 500 liter French oak barrels, and foudres." 

Alcohol: 14.5% 

*Price and availability in store may vary. Vintage date may differ from pictured.