Familia Castaño, `Solanera` Viñas Viejas

Based in Yecla, Murcia, Familia Castaño is known for its huge efforts to promote one of Spain’s native varieties: Monastrell. Familia Castaño embodies the best of what southern Spain has to offer, producing rich, warm-climate wines, with almost Syrah-like complexity, which overdeliver in terms of value year after year. Castaño began bottling characterful, single-variety Monastrell in the 1980s when the variety was used exclusively for bulk wines and blending. Today, in the expert hands of Daniel Castaño and his family, the variety maintains high quality even at moderate to generous yields. 80% of the family’s 600 hectares of vineyards are dedicated to Monastrell, with smaller plantings of Cabernet Sauvignon, Macabeo and Chardonnay among others. The Monastrell is sourced from dry-farmed, bush and trellised vines, up to 70 years old, in the ‘Las Gruesas’ and ‘Pozuelo’ vineyards. Totalling 336 hectares, the two vineyards sit at an elevation of 750 metres, with a north-south aspect, on sandy limestone soils.

The 100% Monastrell ‘Hécula’ represents exceptional value for money. Certified organic it displays succulent ripe black fruit, notes of sweet spice and liquorice and supple ripe tannins. The ‘Colección’, made from 70% old-vine Monastrell and 30% Cabernet Sauvignon, shows more red cherry and dried fruit, with hints of smokiness and chocolate. The Organic Macabeo, Monastrell Rosado and Monastrell are some of Spain’s best value organic wines and are now available in sustainable five-litre ‘Bag in Box’. Made for early drinking, they are fresh and elegant thanks to the vineyard’s elevation of 500-700 metres. The ‘Dulce’ is delicious, full of dried fig, raisin and plum jam flavours, with a rounded mouthfeel and balanced acidity that keeps the finish fresh.