Monastrell & Garnacha, Casa Castillo Las Gravas 2022, Jumilla DO, Spain

A benchmark Mediterranean red from one of Spain’s most acclaimed terroirs. Casa Castillo Las Gravas 2022 is a single-vineyard wine sourced from the gravelly slopes of the Sierra del Molar, where bush-trained vines over 40 years old are dry-farmed on stony, sandy-loam soils. This cuvée blends predominantly Monastrell with a small proportion of Garnacha, offering a vivid expression of Jumilla’s rugged landscape.

Fermentation is carried out with native yeasts in underground stone lagares, incorporating 30% whole clusters. The wine is then aged for 16 months in a combination of 500-liter French oak demi-muids and 5,000-liter foudres, with minimal new oak influence, allowing the purity of fruit and minerality to shine through.

Tasting note:

• Appearance: Deep cherry red with violet hues

• Nose: Balsamic and wild herb aromas, complemented by red fruit liqueur notes and sweet spices

• Palate: Dry and mineral-driven, with a chalky structure that reflects the austerity of the terroir. The wine is complex, fruity, and juicy, displaying good acidity and a long, elegant finish

Food pairing:
Ideal with grilled lamb, game meats, hearty stews, and aged cheeses. Its structure and depth also pair well with Mediterranean dishes featuring herbs and spices.

Alcohol: 14.5% vol.

The Wine Advocate Robert Parker scores:
2022: 96 points
2021: 98 points
2020: 98 points
2019: 95 points
2018: 96 points