| “Even better is the 2013 Solanera is a “Vinas Viejas” that differs from the Castano (100% Monastrell), as this blend is 70% Monastrell, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon and 15% Grenache, aged 10 months in French and American oak. Another difference from the Hecula is that it was aged equal parts in tank and the other half in French oak. The Solanera, which comes from relatively high-altitude limestone soils at 900 meters, has a dense purple color, a big sweet kiss of blueberry and blackberry fruit mixed with crushed chalk, a full-bodied mouthfeel, beautiful purity, density and richness. The oak is well concealed by the lavish fruit – the wine just amazing. Drink it over the next 2-3 years, as these powerhouses are best consumed in their exuberant and extroverted youth.” – Robert Parker (July 2015)
VARIETIES: Monastrell, Cabernet Sauvignon, Garnacha Tintorera
APPELLATION: Yecla
FARMING: Sustainable with organic practices
ELEVATION: 800-900 meters
AGE OF
VINES: 15-40 years
SOIL: Clay limestone
FERMENTATION: Fermented in stainless steel tanks
AGING: 10 months in French (80%) and American (20%) oak barrels
ABOUT CASTAÑO – FROM THE IMPORTER
The Castaño family are the original pioneers of the DO Yecla. Starting in the 1950s Ramón Castaño Santa, with an extensive family history of viticulture, built the first modern winery in the region and over the successive decades he added to his family’s
holdings so now the estate encompasses 450 hectares of primarily old, bush vine Monastrell. Starting in the 1980s the family began bottling wines under their own name continuing to innovate and improve the reputation of Monastrell from Yecla in domestic and export markets. Before this time, the majority of the wine made in the region was sold off in bulk so much of the best, old-vine material was blended away before anyone could take note of its quality.
The wines selected by European Cellars are primarily sourced from the northern part of the DO where the soils are poorer, rockier and the elevation is higher. The vine age ranges from 30 to over a hundred years old. The Monastell is aged entirely in tank to retain the fresh crunchy characteristics of the variety. Hécula, born from older vines with a more brooding character is tempered by aging for 6 months in a combination of French and American oak, it takes its name from the old Roman name for Yecla.
Solanera is a custom, old-vine cuvée created under the direction of Eric Solomon which blends low-yielding Monastrell grown on the rockiest soils of the DO with Cabernet Sauvignon and Garnacha Tintorera. It is aged in 80% French and 20% American oak barrels for 10 months.
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