This fruit-forward wine has ripe and rich jammy fruit notes with chocolate aromatics. The palate features tart red currants and black berry juice as well as perfectly ripe fruit preserves. It is medium-plus in body and suave.

 

 

Yecla is a Spanish Denominación de Origen (DO) for wines located around the town of Yecla in the northernmost corner of the region of Murcia.  Notable for its extensive use of the red varietal Monastrell, Yecla’s authorized red grape varieties also include Garnacha Tinta, Garnacha Tintorera, Tempranillo, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Syrah.  Official DO status was acquired in 1975, but grape growing and wine production have been practiced in this area for over 2000 years.  

 

Bodegas Castaño has been a winemaking presence in Yecla for generations.  Created by Ramon Castaño Santa and his three sons, the family has nurtured old plantings and re-planted other parcels.  While the endeavor started out small, they now own about 10% of the DO. Their wines are made from grapes growing in four vineyard estates. 

 

For centuries Alcarias were at the heart of rural life in southern Spain. Centered around a grand house decorated with alabaster and Moorish tiles, these specialized hamlets housed artisanal lace or silk factories and more often than not olive oil and wine presses.

 

This wine is made by French winemaker Jean-Marc Lafage at Castaño. The grapes are harvested from vines which are 20-50 years old.  This wine is aged for 4 months in French oak and American oak.