*** WINE OF THE YEAR IRISH WINE AWARDS OCTOBER 2016/ BEST WINE UNDER €15 AS WELL***
Country: Spain Region: Yecla
Varietal:100% Monastrell
Vintage: 2016 Colour:Red Style:Dry
Producer:Castano Estate
Description:
The Castaño family owns over 410 hectares of vineyards in the Yecla DO...
in south-eastern Spain. 80% of these vineyards are planted with the native Monastrell variety. Castaño symbolises the best of what southern Spain has to offer: rich, warm climate wines made from grapes grown at altitude and transformed into robustly modern wines. For several generations, Bodegas Castaño has been a pioneer in the region.
Vineyards
This wine is from Las Gruesas and Pozuelo vineyards which are situated at an altitude 750m above sea level. This area has a very different microclimate from the rest of the region which is clearly continental. It has minimum temperatures of -10ºC in winter and up to 42ºC in summer. The area is prone to infrequent spells of heavy rain. The average age of the vines is 38 years old and the density is 1,600 vines per hectare. Soils are a mix of sandstone and limestone.
Vintage Information
2014 was a very warm, dry year, with a considerable decrease in yield, especially in the non-irrigated vineyards. Harvest was therefore brought forward by 10-15 days. Weather conditions in the spring caused the vegetal cycle to begin earlier than average and the absence of serious rainfall throughout the growing season brought the vines good health. The resulting wines from this vintage have intense aromatic characteristics and rich flavours.
Vinification
Fermentation took place in stainless steel tanks for 10 days at 24-26°C. The wine was then aged for six months in oak barrels of which 50% were new. The oak used was 80% French and 20% American.
Tasting Notes
A deep purple colour in the glass, exuding rich, elegant aromas of blueberries, ripe raspberries and liquorice with a subtle floral touch and a chalky character. On the palate, it is full-bodied, with an inviting richness and soft fruit that is integrated with oak notes in this extremely well-balanced red.
Food Matches:Red Meat / Blue Cheese / Barbecues / Spicy
