spanish
Yet another great value monastrell: Paraje Marín Bruma 2020
A new discovery for me. I tasted many monastrells in recent years, but not a single one from this producer – a big mistake. Compared to the previous two monastrells on this blog, this shows yet another face on the variety. And what a lovely wine it is.Casa Castillo Monastrell 2021
After Castano Hecula, here is another monastrell, one with a completely different style. This is a very contemporary interpretation of the variety
Great value, as usual – Castano Hecula Monastrell Organic 2020
Bodegas Castano’s Hecula is an old favourite of mine, yet this is the first time for me to taste the organic version. It’s a bit different compared to the previous vintages, I wonder if the winemaking has changed, too, not just the grape cultivation method.
Jorge Navascues Cutio 2018, Carinena, Spain
A grenache, finally. I drank less of them in the last few months than it’s usual for me, but here you go. A spanish one that also contains a bit of carignan.Cepa Lebrel Rioja Crianza 2016
Can you handle oak? Lots and lots of oak? It’s overdone, yet not without appeal… Continue reading
Diacono Navarra 2018
Kind of OK cheap Spanish from Auchan. When it fails for is the finish… Continue reading
Great value red: Clos Mont Blanc Xipella 2015, D.O. Catalunya, Spain
A generous, warm climate red that overdelivers when it comes to value. And it’s not a boring, predictable one – a real winner.
Entry level Priorat Grenache – Scala Dei Garnatxa 2018
Pure Grenache from Priorat. Cheap for the region arguably, but the Rhone offers much better value.
The Monastrell that received 99 points – Casa Castillo Pie Franco 2017, Jumilla
Jumilla’s top name, Casa Castillo already got some attention in recent years, but receiving 99 points from Wine Advocate speeds up things a little more. As the high rating was published for their top wine, stocks at most online merchants quickly disappeared – but interestingly this new superstar of a wine is still available at Lobenberg’s in Germany. This was the case when I payed 77 Euros for a single bottle (not something I can afford on a regular basis) and felt lucky.