Cooler and juicier reds, fluid, where the terroir is displayed in all its glory. This has always been the goal pursued by José María Vicente, ever since he took over the vineyard his grandfather bought after the Civil War in the 1990s. Today, three decades later, all his efforts have been rewarded with the highest ratings from critics, who have discovered a new version of these reds crafted in the southeast of Spain. Not all his labels have been rated; however, they are no less intriguing for that. And if you don't believe us, try a glass of Casa Castillo Monastrell.
Achieving the maximum expression of the vineyard, without any influence, is paramount throughout the production of Casa Castillo Monastrell. In the case of this red, where monastrell is blended with other varieties, the grapes come from a selection of vineyards aged between five and 37 years. These vines, spread across 150 hectares, are located in the high plateau of the DO Jumilla, on slopes of calcareous and sandy soils reaching up to 760 metres in altitude.
Early September marks the start of the harvest, with syrah being the first to be picked by hand, followed by garnacha and monastrell, which will be harvested in mid-October. Right there, at the foot of the vine, an initial selection is made, continuing in the winery, where the best clusters are chosen again. Before fermentation, Casa Castillo Monastrell is chilled in refrigerated chambers, where the temperature drops to 14°C, at which point the wine is finally ready to be entrusted to the native yeasts that will transform the must into wine. Finally, Casa Castillo Monastrell is racked and transferred to used oak barrels, where it undergoes malolactic fermentation and rests for a minimum of 12 months on its lees before being bottled.
More than a wine, Casa Castillo Monastrell is the true reflection of a land encapsulated in the spirit and craftsmanship of a family. In this bottle, the vineyard speaks for itself, setting the path for its successors to follow. The future of DO Jumilla is already here with Casa Castillo Monastrell.