2007 Casa Castillo Monastrell Jumilla

90 points Robert Parker's Wine Advocate: "The 2007 Monastrell is even better than the 2006 which received 88 points in Issue 175. The wine is estate grown and bottled from old vines and low yields. It was aged for six months in seasoned French and American oak barrels. Dark ruby-colored, it exhibits a nose of spice box, black cherry, and blueberry. This leads to a medium to full-bodied wine with layered fruit, savory flavors, enough structure to evolve for 1-2 years, and a pure close. Drink it over the next four years." (08/08) 90 points from Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar: "Ruby-red. Expressive, spicy aromas of black raspberry, gingerbread, dark chocolate and dried flowers. Supple red and dark berry flavors are firmed by dusty tannins and enlivened by zesty minerality. Very fresh wine, with no loose ends or rough edges and very good finishing sweetness. This was raised in three-year-old barrels, 80% French and 20% American. A remarkable value." (Sept/Oct '08) From the young vines on the property, 22 years of age, aged in neutral French oak. This is one of the best bargains in the store. With a nose packed full of blackberry, cola and peppered meats, this is very alluring juice. With a perfect level of ripeness this forgoes the general trend of the region to pruney, cooked qualities in the wines, instead substituting tangy acidity and vibrant flavors of bacon, black peppercorns, red currant, dried raspberry and fresh red plum. (Bryan Brick, K&L)