Widely acknowledged as the leading proponent of Monastrell in Spain, José Maria is not content to just double down on this variety. While the ubiquitous Monastrell is at the heart of his endeavors, he’s always played against expectations in pursuit of the true meaning of his sandy clay and rocky terroir. In the 1990s it was with Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah which have been completely (in the case of the Cab) and partially replaced with Garnacha. One look at his soils, in many cases remarkably analogous to Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Garnacha seems the obvious choice but one which few in Jumilla has sought to explore apart from José Maria. With more and more Garnacha coming online from the grafting over of his Cabernet and with the planting of young vines, a new expression of Jumilla began to form at Casa Castillo – one that uses older vine Monastrell as its base but enlivened with about 25% Garnacha.
La Tendida is the parcel name that is the source for both wines, but this cuvée is a selection of younger vine fruit from a particular terruño – a sandy clay-limestone soil covered in a deep layer of gravel. Despite the younger average age of these vines and no change in the winemaking, this is a more elegant, nuanced, and refined rendition of this parcel’s best soils.
Fermented with 30% whole cluster & native yeast in concrete vats. The wine is then aged for one year in a mix of 5000L foudre and neutral 500L French oak barrels. This is a vibrant and expressive Jumilla. It has the intensity that is expected from the Monastrell but the Garnacha and neutral oak aging which brightens the fruit and gives it an unexpected elegance. A classic nose of spiced red fruits, wood smoke, underbrush & dried citrus peel. Offers loads of cherry, raspberry & wild strawberry fruit, medium-bodied fleshy richness & soft tannins. This delivers the classic bold Mediterranean flavors of the region but with more complexity, subtlety and nuance.
