Castillo de Monseran Garnacha 2020
Winemaker Notes
Castillo de Monseran is located in Carineña in Spain. Cariñea is frequently cited as the birthplace of Grenache/Garnacha. Only later did the varietal migrate to southern France, where it gained fame as a Rhone varietal, especially in the big, peppery Chateauaneuf de Papes of the southern Rhône. The terroir in Carineña holds similarities of the southern Rhône.
Castillo de Monséran is made by winemaker Hugh Ryman and Jesús Prieto, the winemaker of Bodegas San Valero.
Hugh is a graduate of the prestigious school of winemaking at Bordeaux University and went on to gain practical experience in Australia, working at Petaluma with the legendary winemaker Brian Croser, while Jesús graduated from Zaragoza.
Together Hugh and Jesús work with a team of viticulturalists to select appropriate vineyard parcels and to choose the right moment for picking. They then carefully control the vinification and ageing of Castillo de Monséran in tank or in barrel, before making the final blends.
Their close personal involvement at every step of the production process ensures the style, quality and consistency of the wines.
This northeastern Spanish town is believed to be the origin of the grape with the same name. However, Carinena (in French, known as Carignan) has all but been abandoned in favor of Garnacha, which is better suited for its arid climate. The region of Carinena also produces fine examples of whites based on Garnacha Blanca, Macabeo, Parellada and others.
Grenache thrives in any warm, Mediterranean climate where ample sunlight allows its clusters to achieve full phenolic ripeness. While Grenache's birthplace is Spain (there called Garnacha), today it is more recognized as the key player in the red blends of the Southern Rhône, namely Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Côtes du Rhône and its villages. Somm Secret—The Italian island of Sardinia produces bold, rustic, single varietal Grenache (there called Cannonau). California, Washington and Australia have achieved found success with Grenache, both flying solo and in blends.