Molinico Loco, Monastrell 2022

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-varietal 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 vines vines up to 70 years old.

 

The 100% Monastrell ‘Hécula’ represents exceptional value for money. Certified organic from the 2019 vintage, it displays succulent ripe black fruit, notes of sweet spice and liquorice and supple ripe tannins.

 

Made by Familia Castaño, the Molinico Loco wines share the same exceptionally good value, modern packaging and whistle-clean, fruit-forward style that are hallmarks of the family’s other wines.

Molinico Loco is the affectionate name for the windmill (‘molino’) that sits on the edge of the Castaño vineyards. In contrast to other windmills, which turn in windy conditions, this particular windmill is ‘loco’ (the Spanish for crazy) as it turns only on calm, still days. The vineyards are located at an elevation of 500 metres, with a north-south orientation. The soils are sandy with a lime content that gives the wines their hallmark freshness.

The Monastrell has vibrant notes of ripe red cherry, blackberry and plum on the nose, it is very easy drinking with soft tannins and a smooth finish.