Tinto y Blanco- Adventures in Spanish Wine

Bodegas Castano Hecula 2004

By Dave Worthington ⋅ April 2, 2009 ⋅ 4 comments

This is a vineyard selection of monastrell from Yecla that gets 50% french oak treatment. It’s been given big gongs form the the chaps at the wine advocate as ‘one of the world best wine values’ and a whopping 91 points. I can see why they like it so much…

La Purisima Estio Tinto 2007

By Dave Worthington ⋅ March 15, 2009 ⋅ Post a comment

Estio is the entry level range from La Purisima, who also make Trapio. There is a red, a white and a rose in the line up, all under $20 at retail. I think you really get your money’s worth with these wines, I quite like this tinto, but I think the pick of the bunch is the rosado.

Bodegas La Purisma Trapio Monastrell 2006

By Dave Worthington ⋅ March 4, 2009 ⋅ One comment

I seem to have missed the 2005 somewhere along the way, but I am sure I have tasted it. Oh well. This 2006 is a great example of what can be done withMonastrell in the right hands. This wine is a bit of a favourite year in and year out, for consistency and value you can’t go far wrong here.

Estio Rosado 2007

By Dave Worthington ⋅ October 23, 2008 ⋅ 2 comments

Just a quick note on this one, it’s the second last rosado in the pile. Rose wine is a great drink, but really tasting it and writing up notes kind of misses the point. It’s for drinking, not thinking in my book.
Estio made from 70% Monastrell with a bit Tempranillo and Syrah.
Bright red/pink in colour, it’s quite a [...]

Dominio Espinal Rosado 2007

By Dave Worthington ⋅ October 8, 2008 ⋅ Post a comment

I ventured out to the Forum last night to see Supergrass. I’ve been a fan for a long time, in fact I Should Coco would be in my all time, top 5 albums. The lads are in top form (apart from’s Gaz’ amp playing up) and the new tracks are excellent live. I think they played half of I shoud coco, so I came home a very happy man. We had a glass of this before heading off to the gig.

Bodegas Castano Monastrell 2005

By Dave Worthington ⋅ October 16, 2007 ⋅ 2 comments

I've been fairly critical of wines made using carbonic maceration. The smell of burnt rubber isn't really something that I want in a wine. This one gets it right, not a hint of Dunlop's finest here. The result is a wine with fresh juicy fruit that's very easy to drink.
Bright ruby in colour. Aromas [...]

Bodegas Castano Celeccion 2003

By Dave Worthington ⋅ October 10, 2007 ⋅ Post a comment

I need a wine to with a steak the other day and pulled this out of the tasting pile. Its a good thing I did, this has everything you want in a good steak wine. Its a blend of 80% Monastrell and 20% Cabernet that sees 15 months in new French and American oak.
Very dark in the glass. [...]

Dominio Espinal Rosado 2005

By Dave Worthington ⋅ February 13, 2007 ⋅ Post a comment

Here is the second Rosado, this one is from the other end of the country. From southern Spain, Yecla to be exact. Made from 100% Monastrell. As you would expect, it is a very different style than the Coto de Hayas. Deeper red colour, light cherry and spice, but still very drinkable all the same.
This shows [...]

Bodegas La Purisma Trapio Monastrell 2003

By Dave Worthington ⋅ January 28, 2007 ⋅ 4 comments

I have a couple of Monastrells to have a look in the next few days, 03 and 05 both look great for this style. I loved the 02 of this wine, but the 03 has really gone up a rung or two. Its a very clean and fresh style that makes a red that goes [...]

Bodegas Castano Monastrell 2004

By Dave Worthington ⋅ October 23, 2006 ⋅ Post a comment

Here is an interesting little number, a Monastrell from Yecla that has had 40% carbonic maceration and 60% traditional. If you've tried monastrell and written it off as a bit weird, have a look at this one, I think it will change your mind.
Deep ruby in colour, the nose starts of with sweet red cherry [...]

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