PRACTICING ORGANIC FARMING
97% Tempranillo (Tinto Fino), 3% Cabernet Sauvignon
Bodegas Montecastro began in 2000 as a passion project for a group of friends, but really took off when they were joined by the iconic Ribera del Duero estate, Hacienda Monasterio, who took over winemaking and sales. The 27 hectare estate lies at high altitudes around 900 meters above sea level, an important feature in a climate suited for powerful - but balanced and energetic - Tempranillo-driven wines.
WINE ADVOCATE 92+ POINTS - "They are changing the wines to be careful with the extraction, to keep the freshness from the high-altitude vineyards and control the alcohol level, which is already visible in the 2021 Montecastro, even if the wine finished at 14.8% when they picked the grapes at 14% (it will be seen in future years, when they picked grapes at 13.5%). It's 97% Tempranillo and 3% Cabernet Sauvignon that fermented in concrete and matured in French oak barrels, 20% of them new, for 16 months. It's dark, with ripe dark berry fruit and measured oak in the shape of spices and toast, nicely integrated and with some creaminess. It is fresh, modern and clean, with some opulence. It has a velvety, tender texture and is elegant and polished, with round tannins. 120,000 bottles produced. It was bottled in June 2023." 15% abv
97% Tempranillo (Tinto Fino), 3% Cabernet Sauvignon
Bodegas Montecastro began in 2000 as a passion project for a group of friends, but really took off when they were joined by the iconic Ribera del Duero estate, Hacienda Monasterio, who took over winemaking and sales. The 27 hectare estate lies at high altitudes around 900 meters above sea level, an important feature in a climate suited for powerful - but balanced and energetic - Tempranillo-driven wines.
WINE ADVOCATE 92+ POINTS - "They are changing the wines to be careful with the extraction, to keep the freshness from the high-altitude vineyards and control the alcohol level, which is already visible in the 2021 Montecastro, even if the wine finished at 14.8% when they picked the grapes at 14% (it will be seen in future years, when they picked grapes at 13.5%). It's 97% Tempranillo and 3% Cabernet Sauvignon that fermented in concrete and matured in French oak barrels, 20% of them new, for 16 months. It's dark, with ripe dark berry fruit and measured oak in the shape of spices and toast, nicely integrated and with some creaminess. It is fresh, modern and clean, with some opulence. It has a velvety, tender texture and is elegant and polished, with round tannins. 120,000 bottles produced. It was bottled in June 2023." 15% abv
