Monastrell

Bodegas Castano Celeccion 2003

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.  The nose gets things to a cracking start with vanilla and mocha, with earthy, tart cherries and blueberries. Tight, but well structured, plenty of nice dusty tannins and very good balance.  On the palate there is some great fruit: boysenberry, tart cherry, with liquorice, musk, sage.  A really long finish tops of the package.  I like this a lot, good value at $35 too.  91 Pts.

Source: Toro/Woods wines Price:  $35 Closure: Conventional Cork

Web: www.bodegascastano.com