2005 Bodegas Castaño Monastrell Yecla Hécula (Spain, Murcia, Yecla)

This wine is still very tight. It needs at least 90 minutes in the decanter to be fully enjoyed in the near term. Very dark purple color. Early on this wine was very dry with very little of the fruit showing through. After about 2 hours of aeration the wine showed lots of black fruit aromas as well as leather and a touch of smoke. Across the palate there were blackberry, pepper and leather notes. This wine is quite and the finish is drying. Monastrell is the Spanish version of the French Mourvedre. It’s widely planted in Spain and is generally blended with Grenache or Garnacha. If you can decant this value priced ($13) red wine from the Yelca region of Spain  it’s a good wine for the money.

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