Castano Solanera 2013

Yecla, Spain Wine Advocate 92 points; "Best Value Wines" 2015! Bodegas Castano Solanera Vinas Viejas is a beautiful red blend of Monastrell, Cabernet Sauvignon and Grenache from the Yecla region of Spain. The Castaño family are the original pioneers of the DO Yecla. Starting in the 1950s Ramón Cantaño Santa, with an extensive family history of viticulture, built the first modern winery in the region and over the successive decades he added to his family's holdings so now the estate encompasses 450 hectares of primarily old, bush vine Monastrell. "This blend is 70% Monastrell, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon and 15% Grenache, aged 10 months in French and American oak…It was aged equal parts in tank and the other half in French oak. The Solanera, which comes from relatively high-altitude limestone soils at 900 meters, has a dense purple color, a big sweet kiss of blueberry and blackberry fruit mixed with crushed chalk, a full-bodied mouthfeel, beautiful purity, density and richness. The oak is well concealed by the lavish fruit-the wine just amazing. Drink it over the next 2-3 years, as these powerhouses are best consumed in their exuberant and extroverted youth."-Robert M. Parker, Jr., 92 points! Enjoy Castano Solanera with roast pork, lamb chops, empanadas and aged cheeses.