Castano Monastrell 2005 $8 
We have a wine of the week for you that will blow you away for the price! Our pick is Castano 2005 Monastrell from Spain… and it’s all of eight dollars a bottle. And for those eight bucks you’ll get a wine that leaps out of the bottle for you.
This wine has dark berry fruit flavors, like fresh picked blueberries along with a juicy burst of tastiness like you just plucked the grape from the vine.
Monastrell is the same grape type as Mourvedre from southern France where it’s used for blending, but Castano makes wines that are easily pleasing for everyday drinking. The northwest of Spain where this wine comes from has hot and dry summers…which tends to cook in the ripe flavors and they come through in the wine.
One look at the midnight purple color and you know this will be a flavor packed wine experience. Castano 2005 Monastrell is the wine of the week from us…an ideal choice when the group is getting together, whatever the occasion.
Pop the Cork™.
Winemaker’s Notes and Comments:
There are some 120.000 Has. of Monastrell grape in the world, 50.000 Has. of them are in Spain and around 300 Has belong to Bodegas Castaño. The Monastrell grape is perfectly adapted to the growing and climatic condition in Yecla area, and it is able to endure the extreme temperature changes, withstanding long and hot summers particularly and it also is able to support long periods of drought, during which its development and yield drop extensively.
This Spanish variety was recorded as early as the 15th century. In France this variety is known as "Mourvédre", the name comes from the Visigoth toponym of "Sagunto", in Valencia. In California and south Australia it is known as "Mataró". But in the growing conditions provided in Yecla region, where Mediterranean and Continental climates meet, it is when the Monastrell grape can fully develop its colour, structure and smoothness.
Wine Advocate 90 points - The 2005 Monastrell is an insane value produced from three vineyard sites ranging in age from 40-60 years. Opaque purple-colored, it gives up fragrant aromas of blue fruits, plums, and prunes. Ripe, layered, and full-flavored, this hedonistic effort can be enjoyed now but will surely evolve for 2-3 years. Match it with beef and lamb.
Notes on our Wines of the Week, Recommendations, and Picks:
When you read our thoughts, please remember that you may think differently. A particular wine may be your favorite and not on our list. Well, don't stop buying it because of that. In fact, you may want to email us and let us know about it. These are our opinions but our FIRST recommendation is to go by your own palate.
A couple of other thoughts...first, prices are approximate. They'll vary. Second, different vintages mean different grapes and different tastes so our recommendation for a 2000 Merlot may not hold for 2001.
And lastly, we remind you to drink responsibly! Now, all that said, here is a summary of links to our suggestions. Find one (or more) and pop the cork!
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