2023 Casa Castillo Las Gravas (Jumilla)

The Monastrell from gravel soils 2023 Las Gravas shows quite austere, serious and a little closed at present. The wine is mostly Monastrell with some 8% Garnacha, a percentage that varies depending on the yields of the variety. From 2020 onward, part of the Monastrell comes from the new plantings, younger vines—but now almost 20 years old—in cooler sites that make the wine finer-boned, with better freshness and acidity. It`s medium-bodied, austere and mineral, with very fine, abundant tannins and a notable absence of fruit. It has good ripeness, which means development of aromas and flavors, and good alcohol, 14.5% to 15%, but it`s not noticeable, despite the lowish parameters of acidity. But there`s no sensation of density; the wine is refreshing and fine-boned. This is very young but harmonious and balanced. It`s approachable now, but it should improve with time in bottle. They produced close to 30,000 bottles. It was bottled in July 2025. 97 points