March 10, 2022 - Colour: medium(+) ruby
Nose: medium intensity, tertiary, developing. Damson plum, blackberry, black cherry. Cranberry. Dried fig, prune. Leather, maybe salami, some savouriness. Sweet spice.
Palate: dry, medium acidity, medium tannins, medium alcohol (13%), medium bodied. Damson plum, blackberry, black cherry. Cranberry. Dried fig, prune. Leather, maybe salami, some savouriness. Sweet spice. Sage, dried oregano. Touch of medicinal character, some stemminess.
Conclusions: good. Can drink now, but might age for another few years. Amazing value for the price, especially with a two-for-one offer.
Seal: screwcap.
May 14, 2021 - Dark, see-through red. Earth, cranberry, and a little iron on the nose. Light to medium bodied, raspberries, sage, dusty cherries, baking spices, moderate tannins, and a soft, fruity finish. Well made and a good value.
September 27, 2020 - 100% Monastrell. 13% alcohol. Vines are 30-60 years old over limestone soil. These are actually Bodegas Castano’s young vines. No oak at all used. Fermented in stainless steel and aged in briefly in concrete vats. About a quarter full-clusters were used semi-carbonically. Not the most expressive wine to begin with but a lot of typical notes of Mourvedre showing. The nose is definitely on the savory side with meaty, leathery, herbal and spicy notes. The palate keeps that savory edge with medium- acid, a touch of mint, spice, anise and dark fruit in the background. There are no hard edges with a soft tannic structure. The high elevation keeps it relatively fresh despite the hot weather in Yecla, Murcia. Overall, I like the flavor profile, but it lacks intensity. 88 for now. Maybe it will open up some. 250,000 bottles made. Monastrell/Mourvedre is definitely not for those who like fruity wines. Would be good with Mediterannean food and stews. I’ve had several of this producer’s other cuvees such as their Hecula, Solanera, Casa Cisca, and Collecion-all Monastrell or Monstrell blends. They were all a little bigger, with more fruit, and were aged in some type of oak while this is pure Monastrell but made with younger vines. They’re the biggest name from this region and they sell for reasonable prices. This was only around $10 in Chile, which is about as cheap as you can get for an import.
2nd day, a little more expressive. Leather notes. A little brighter. An extra point, but still more or less the same flavor profile.
https://winediplomats.com/
April 16, 2020 - I really liked this wine. It was very fruity.
March 6, 2020 - Good body fruit and balance. Pleasant finish with tannin and acid. Fantastic QPR. Great weekday and party wine. Had one a year ago and was wondering why Parker gave it a 90, now I understand.
September 10, 2019 - I liked this bottle better than the last one. I think giving it time after opening really helped the richness and spiciness come forward.
August 13, 2019 - Enjoyed with a bison steak and pasta.
May 29, 2019 - Rich and interesting with a nice spicy finish.
April 16, 2019 - Very simple wine but does have nice fruit.
January 29, 2019 - Nice inexpensive wine with that spicy/bitter monastrell finish.