"Beautiful... it's the real deal..." Jeb Dunnuck

Castano Solanera 2017

Six or more - $14.99

All Else Sale $15.99

94 pts Jen Dunnuck

The Castaño family are the original pioneers of the DO Yecla. Starting in the 1950s Ramón Castaño Santa, with an extensive family history of viticulture, built the first modern winery in the region and over the successive decades he added to his family’s holdings so now the estate encompasses 450 hectares of primarily old, bush vine Monastrell. Starting in the 1980s the family began bottling wines under their own name continuing to innovate and improve the reputation of Monastrell from Yecla in domestic and export markets. Before this time, the majority of the wine made in the region was sold off in bulk so much of the best, old-vine material was blended away before anyone could take note of its quality.

Still, the region hasn’t quite hit international “paydirt”. After all, the area is teeny-tiny – only eight wineries total! So, despite nearly 100, 90+ pt reviews in Wine Advocate, the wines still sell for ridiculously low prices.

Our favorite winemaker, Jean-Marc Lafage, supervises production of this little gem. Monastrell (65%), Cabernet Sauvignon (20%), and Tintorera (15%) from 40-100 year-old vines, aged in oak for 10 months. As you would expect from a Lafage wine, this beauty explodes from the glass with seductive, captivating aromas of dark fruits before giving way to a luscious mouthfull of fruit, wild flowers and fresh herbs. Oh my... what to eat alongside?  Some melon with Serrano Ham to start? Followed by scrambled eggs with garlic and prawns... grilled lamb chops... green beans with ham... I love the simplicity of Spanish food!

"Beautiful, with lots of cassis, blackberry, graphite, camphor, and acacia flower notes on the nose, the 2017 Vinas Viejas hits the palate with medium to full-bodied richness, a layered, elegant texture, ripe tannins, and a gorgeous finish. A blend of 65% Monastrell, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon, and the rest Garnacha, brought up in 75% new French oak, it's the real deal and will keep for 7-8 years, probably longer." JD

 
Or reply. The wine will be available Friday in both stores.