Casa Castillo Monastrell 2019

blackberry preserve, dried cherry, dried sage, and pipe tobacco

The autonomous community of Murcia is often known as the “Garden of Europe” due to its long history of cultivating olives, fresh produce, and of course wine. In recent years, the wines of Murcia have gained a significant following on the export market, with the best examples made entirely from Mourvèdre, known locally as Monastrell. This variety is the pride and joy of the Jumilla appellation, and many wineries such as Casa Castillo are home to ungrafted vines due to the region’s dry climate and sandy, disease-resistant soils. Winemaker Jose Maria Vicente works the land using biodynamic methods to better capture the unique characteristics of Jumilla.

All fruit for this wine is harvested by hand. In the winery, the fruit is still crushed by foot and whole-cluster fermentation takes place in stone and concrete vats. Once dry, the wine is matured in neutral oak barrels for 8-9 months before bottling. When you open this wine, I strongly suggest decanting for at least half an hour, and serving at cellar temperature, roughly 60 degrees Fahrenheit. Drink now through 2028 with chicken and rice dishes, skirt steak with vegetables, or lamb chops.