Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
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Decanter
New from Casa Castillo, this comes from younger Monastrell (85%) and Garnacha vines, fermented with about one third whole bunches and indigenous yeasts, followed by 12 months in 500L barrels and 5,000L vats. Youthful with lovely freshness, layered with dark fruit, and exceptionally good value for followers of Casa Castillo. Organic, and a welcome addition to the stable.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2020 La Tendida is a new wine from 85% Monastrell from younger vines in the paraje (lieu-dit) La Tendida within the property and 15% Garnacha from seven-year-old plants on a north-facing slope on sandy limestone soils covered in gravel in 2020. Here, they changed the concept, prioritizing location of the vines instead of age, so they used younger vines but from better soils. So, this is a different wine from the Vino de Finca, and some of the old vines that had been used for the Vino de Finca go back to the basic Monastrell instead of coming here. Like most wines in this pure Mediterranean vintage, it fermented with 25% to 30% full clusters and indigenous yeast in underground stone pools with a short to medium maceration and temperatures up to 32 degrees Celsius. The wine spent 12 months in a combination of 500-liter barrels and 5,000-liter oak vats. Most wines in 2020 are around 14.5% alcohol and have a medium pH of 3.55 and mellow acidity (4.85 grams, measured in tartaric acid per liter). It's young and tender but more elegant, subtle but nuanced and very precise. The wine is medium-bodied, the tannins are very fine and there is a sensation of fragility but with energy and strength, a red with light. Very Casa Castillo.
Rating: 93+
With bold fruit flavors and accents of sweet spice, Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre form the base of the classic Rhône Red Blend, while Carignan, Cinsault and Counoise often come in to play. Though they originated from France’s southern Rhône Valley, with some creative interpretation, Rhône blends have also become popular in other countries. Somm Secret—Putting their own local spin on the Rhône Red Blend, those from Priorat often include Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. In California, it is not uncommon to see Petite Sirah make an appearance.
Famous for the robust and earthy, black-fruit dominated, Monastrell (known as Mourvedre in France), Jumilla is an arid and hot region in southeastern Spain. Its vine yields tend to be torturously low but this can create wines of exceptional intensity and flavor. Quality combined with accessible price points give the region great recognition on international markets far and wide.
The reds from Jumilla are heady and spicy, packed with fruit and show aromas of dried licorice and herbs. If you like Syrah, Grenache or Pinot noir, a red wine from Jumilla would be a perfect next choice!