Hécula is a combination of concentration, colour intensity, minerality, fruitiness and a wonderful texture. Made solely from Monastrell grapes, originating from vines aged 60-80 years old, it receives a short ageing of six months in French (80%) and American (20%) oak barrels, with only half of them new. It is a seemingly simple wine, which surprises due to its complexity, freshness and good structure. Harmonious, pleasant, flavoursome, it reveals that subtle touch of oak which gives overall balance and makes its passage through the mouth even more pleasurable. As admired by Parker himself, it's "probably too good" nobody would expect an exceptional wine at this price, but "this certainly is".
If you're a fan of Spanish red wines, and haven't yet tried Monastrell (aka Mourvèdre), this will convert you.
It's made by the Castaño, one of the Yecla wine region's top producers. They know the local landscape like no one else. Grapes for this powerful red wine come from vineyards high up in the hot hillsides.
Surviving both freezing winters and scorching summers, the Monastrell vines have an average age of 38-years-old. That makes for some great quality grapes, with concentrated flavours. Oak ageing is just for six months, giving a hint of vanilla and spice, just like in a fine Rioja.
Rich, full-bodied and rewarding, it's the kind of Spanish red wine that gets compliments from your friends.
The Producer
The family-run estate of Bodegas Castaño traces its winemaking history back through several generations and is widely regarded as one of the top producers in the region, producing mostly Monastrell (the French Mourvèdre) on high altitude vineyards
The Winemaker
Winemaker Mariano Lopez ferments the Monastrell grapes in stainless steel tanks, followed by six months ageing in oak (50% of which was new). A mixture of French and American oak was used (approximately 80/20).
The Region
Yecla is a small wine producing area in the south-eastern corner of Spain in the region of Murcia. A combination of very dry conditions and high altitude vineyards (around 750m above sea level) leads to the production of warm, juicy Spanish styles and light, tropical whites.
Woody berry and clove aromas introduce this chewy, extracted Monsatrell. Solid tannins drive its herbal plum and berry flavours, with ample woodspice and a peppery, clove-like finish. Wine Enthusiast, 88 pts
Sight Intense cherry colour with garnet touches. Clean and bright. Nose Expressive notes of ripe black fruit. Undertones of toasted notes on a base of low mountain pastures. Taste Strong and voluminous. Toasted notes are well-integrated, flavoursome. Good acidity that provides freshness. Enjoyable tannins and an attractive finish.
Sight Intense dark cherry colour with maroon edges. Very clean and bright. Nose Correct intensity. Very expressive and intense ripe black fruit, almost jammy, and at times even alcohol-soaked. The fruit is intermixed with toasted notes and a big background of typically Mediterranean undergrowth. Taste Hécula is a powerful red wine, with intense, bulky attack. A high concentration of fruit stands out, and there are some very well integrated toasted notes. This wine is tasty and freshy, with a good acidity bringing lots of freshness. Nice tannins, just about noticeable. Perfect finish.
Sight Intense dark cherry colour with maroon edges. Very clean and bright. Nose Correct intensity. Very expressive and intense ripe black fruit, almost jammy, and at times even alcohol-soaked. The fruit is intermixed with toasted notes and a big background of typically Mediterranean undergrowth. Taste Hécula is a powerful red wine, with intense, bulky attack. A high concentration of fruit stands out, and there are some very well integrated toasted notes. This wine is tasty and freshy, with a good acidity bringing lots of freshness. Nice tannins, just about noticeable. Perfect finish.
Sight Intense dark cherry colour with maroon edges. Very clean and bright. Nose Aromas with a correct intensity among which the expressive and intense notes of ripe black fruit, as sweet as jam and with some hints of liquor stand out. They are mixed with toasted notes and a wide background of notes of typically Mediterranean undergrowth. Taste Hécula 2010 is a powerful and bulky red wine with a intense attack. In its mid palate, it shows a nice powerness with marked but very well integrated toasted and fruity notes. It is tasty and fleshy and has a good acidity which provides it with lots of freshness. It shows nice quite noticeable tannins. Quite a good finish.
Sight Intense and bright cherry red colour with maroon edges. Nose A wine with abundant notes of expressive and intense jamed ripe black fruit, with some hints of liquor, very expressive and intense. The fruit is mixed with oak aromas on a wide background of the typical Mediterranean scrubland aromas. Taste Wine with an intense and warm attack and a friendly and powerful mid palate with marked notes of fruit and nicely integrated toasted aromas. Tasty Spanish wine, with a good acidity which provides it with freshness. Its tannins are subtly noticeable. Correct finish.
Sight High robe intense cherry red colour with maroon edges and slow-falling dense tears. Nose This wine is characterised by its good intensity and its great complexity. It shows very expressive notes of black fruit and well integrated toasted touches. When it opens up, good liquorice aromas with different spices (vanilla, cocoa) are released along with balsamic notes on an expressive background of notes of typically Mediterranean forest's herbs. Taste Very good and nice attack. Flavourful mid palate, with strong notes of fruit and toasted very well integrated. Nice acidity. Its tannins still need to be polished. Long finish that leaves sweet sensations. A wine that cannot disappoint us.
Sight It has a cherry red, intense and bright, upper middle layer. Nose Very good expression of fruit (plums, currants) with hints of licorice.
Taste On the palate is ripe, soft with good tour, and is felt long haul. Fine and intense flavors of black fruits fleshy.
Wine region:
Yecla (Spain)
Grape varieties:
Mourvèdre
Food Pairing:
Red meats / lamb / roasts / meat casseroles / small game dishes
Tasting:
Colour: Picota cherry red / violet glints
Bouquet: Fruit aromas / ripe fruit / sweet spices / liquorice
Palate: Flavoursome / balanced
Recommendations:
Optimum serving temperature: Between 16ºC and 17ºC
Alcohol content:
14%
750ml
