Casa Castillo La Tendida Monastrell 2021 750ml

“Elegant Jumilla Monastrell with dark fruit, wild herbs, fine tannins and a mineral finish.”

Casa Castillo La Tendida 2021 is a beautifully refined take on Monastrell from Jumilla, showing just how elegant this warm climate Spanish variety can be when handled well.

Dark cherry, blackberry and ripe red fruit sit alongside dried herbs, florals and earthy spice, with fine tannins and a chalky mineral edge giving the wine plenty of freshness. Despite the depth of fruit, this is not a heavy or jammy style. It feels balanced, savoury and surprisingly graceful for Jumilla.

This is a very smart buy for those who enjoy Rhône varieties, Spanish reds or richer Mediterranean wines but still want freshness and finesse. It has plenty of character now, with the structure to become even more interesting over the next several years.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Dark cherry, blackberry and ripe red berries with dried herbs, florals, earth and gentle spice.

Palate: Medium to full bodied with juicy dark fruit, savoury herbs and fine polished tannins.

Finish: Long and fresh with lingering fruit, earthy spice and a distinctive chalky mineral note.

Serving Suggestions

Excellent with grilled lamb, roast pork, slow cooked beef and Mediterranean style meat dishes.

It also works beautifully with mushrooms, roasted vegetables, charcuterie and mature cheeses, where the savoury fruit and herbal character really come into their own.

About The Winery

Casa Castillo is one of the benchmark producers of Jumilla in south eastern Spain. The family began developing the estate as a quality focused winery in the 1980s, with the first commercial vintage released in 1991.

La Tendida comes from a specific section of the estate and blends predominantly Monastrell with Garnacha. The 2021 is particularly impressive for its balance, combining ripe Mediterranean fruit with florals, herbs, fine tannins and a distinctly mineral finish.

This is the sort of Jumilla that changes a few minds about Monastrell. Plenty of flavour, but no need to shout about it.

Cellaring Potential

Drinking beautifully now, but it has the balance and tannin structure to develop comfortably through around 2032.

Expect the fresh dark fruit to become more savoury and earthy with time.

Collector’s Note

The 2021 La Tendida received 93 points from Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate, highlighting its combination of herbs, florals, earth, fine tannins and chalky finish.

Details

Producer: Casa Castillo
Vintage: 2021
Blend: 75% Monastrell, 25% Garnacha
Region: Jumilla, Murcia
Country: Spain
Bottle Size: 750ml
Wine Style: Savoury Mediterranean Red
Wine Sweetness: Dry
Wine Body: Medium to Full Bodied
ABV: 14.5%
Closure: Cork
Critic Score: 93 Points, Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate
Key Flavours: Dark Cherry, Blackberry, Red Fruit, Wild Herbs, Florals, Earth, Mineral Notes