- Vintage
- 2020
- Region
- Jumilla / Spain
- Grape
- Monastrell
- Type
- red
- ABV
- 14.5%
- Volume
- 75cl
- Aging
- 24 months
- Production
- Organic
- Barrels
- French oak
- Barrel age
- New
- Material
- Wood
- Yield
- Very low yields
Casa Castillo Pie Franco · 2020
The Pie Franco is an intrinsically elegant Monastrell, the Casa Castillo's most elegant, from a winery capable of transforming the rusticity that often characterises this variety into delicacy and refinement. An exceptional wine in certain vintages, and even though it displays its finesse soon after release, it's a real shame to sacrifice it in its youth. Leave it to evolve for a few years and it'll amaze you. Reddish against the light, whilst poured into the glass, and a Picota cherry colour once served. A chalk-powdery nose, perhaps picking up on the calcareous stones that cover the vineyard, which gives way after a good aeration to finely alcohol-doused fruit. Cherries, liquorice, violets, Mediterranean herbs and a subtle touch of black olives betraying the varietal. An intense palate, revealing vibrant acidity and a lactic yet dryish body. Possessing all it needs for a temperate evolution in bottle, it already offers fantastic sensations too, although decanting and serving it in a tall glass is a good idea. Balsamic, almost mentholated, spicy and tannic, with a fine minerality in evidence right the way through, as if the ground wanted to make its mark on the grapes, and the old, deep-seated roots of its vines were intent on making their presence felt. There's the oak enhancing without hampering and the fruit unashamedly making a show, as though looking to draw in the taster. It covers the glass with dense tears and the palate with elegant austerity, hinting at stone and oak. A wine which looks to the future, or perhaps to the past?
Liquorice, Violets, Black olive, Mediterranean herbs, Cherries
Silky tannins, Vibrant, Mineral
Meats cooked on hot stone, Roasted pork, Peppered steak
Serve at 16ºC
Decanting is recommended
About the vineyard[+]
Jumilla: Ancient Tradition and Intense Flavour The Jumilla wine region, located in southeastern Spain, is one of the hidden gems of Iberian viticulture. With a history dating back to Roman times, Jumilla has established itself as an emblem of Mediterranean wine, especially known for its star varietal, Monastrell. Jumilla was one of the wine-producing regions that during the 1990s became fully involved in the modern era of Spanish wines. Ways began to be found of improving the vineyards; new wine-making techniques were adopted and young, enthusiastic oenologists transformed the region, with their revolutionary ideas helping to fulfil its potential. Today these wines are at the top of the country's most exported list and their quality is well-known all over the world. Personality and Character The continental climate, with its hot summers and cold winters, together with limestone and sandy soils, gives Jumilla wines a distinctive character. These wines are characterised by their depth, intensity and fruity notes, complemented by an excellent tannic structure. One of the main reasons for this new age is the local red Monastrell grape variety which, responding to careful attention in the vineyard and prudent treatment in the bodega, produces well-structured, flavoursome and meaty wines with definite personality. Always using this indigenous grape as a starting point and with the intention of making certain wines more complex, in recent years international varieties like Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot have been incorporated into the vineyards. Land of Contrasts Jumilla's vineyards, which range from high plateaus to sheltered valleys, reflect a geographical diversity that translates into a wide range of wines, from robust, energetic reds to fresh, aromatic whites. Located in the far southeast of the country and midway between the La Mancha plateau and Murcia, the region's lands are divided between the south of Albacete province and the north of Murcia. Despite this being an inland area lying away from the coast, the climate is Mediterranean with some continental influences in Albacete. Arid-looking, the soil is brownish-grey limestone and poor in organic material. Best of Jumilla Selection We are proud to present you with a curated selection of the best wines from Jumilla. Each bottle has been chosen to represent the richness and diversity of this unique wine region.