Familia Castaño Hécula Organic Monastrell 2023
£11.25
The wine
Deep ruby in the glass, with vibrant aromas of ripe red cherry, plum and blueberry lifted by a subtle toasted note. The palate brings ripe raspberry, vanilla and cacao: generous and warm, yet kept in balance by the freshness of high-altitude vines.
The fruit comes from the Las Gruesas and Pozuelo vineyards in Yecla, 750 metres above sea level, where winters drop to -10°C and summers climb past 40°C. These organically farmed Monastrell vines average 50 years old and are rooted in sandstone and limestone. The grapes are picked by hand and sorted at the winery, fermented in stainless steel for eight to ten days, then given six months in French and American oak before bottling. It is everything Yecla does best: rich, sun-ripened fruit with real character and finesse.
The producer
Familia Castaño
View all Familia Castaño winesFamilia Castaño is the leading family winery of Yecla, a small, sun-baked appellation in the Murcia region of south-east Spain. Across four generations the family has become the great champion of Monastrell, the robust local grape that thrives in this arid landscape. Their name is a byword for characterful, exceptional-value Spanish reds.
Yecla's old bush vines grow on poor limestone soils under an intense continental climate, with hot days and cool nights. These conditions concentrate the fruit and give the wines their depth and warmth. The family farms much of its vineyard organically, working in harmony with the land.
Monastrell sits at the heart of the range, from juicy everyday reds to the old-vine Solanera and structured Colección. Around it, organic whites and rosados and a sweet, late-harvest Monastrell show the estate's breadth. Careful winemaking keeps the fruit vivid and the style honest.
Few producers offer such consistent quality at these prices. The wines are generous, sun-filled and endlessly food-friendly, made to be shared. Familia Castaño is proof of how rewarding the wines of Yecla can be.
