| Producer | Casa Castillo |
| Country | Spain |
| Region | Murcia |
| Subregion | Jumilla DOC |
| Varietal | Monastrell, Grenache |
| Vintage | 2020 |
| Sku | U1007341 |
| Size | 750ml |
 |
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 are 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, and expressive, and reaching a level I have not seen before in this wine. It's refreshing, light, balanced, and 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. —L.G.
What We Thought: This elegant wine is smooth and full-bodied with a palate of ripe blackberry and plum fruit along with touches of licorice and black pepper, finishing with soft but evident tannins and a twist of food-friendly acidity.
