2019 Casa Castillo 'Las Gravas' Monastrelle

Casa Castillo is led by the very talented José Maria Vicente, the third generation of his family to manage the property since it was purchased by his grandfather in 1941. The estate was originally brought for its crops of rosemary and esparto grass, but José Maria’s grandfather planted Monastrell here in 1942.Las Gravas comes from a vineyard planted by José Maria's father Nemesio, on a blanket of broken stone that covers the bedrock some 30cm below. It's this soil that gives Las Gravas its distinct mineral stamp. The vineyard was originally planted with local grapes, as well as Syrah, Cabernet and Merlot, which were grown on trellises rather the local custom of low bush vines. In many ways, it's a vineyard that shows the different trajectories possible on the estate: the previous generation preferred international varietals and French training methods, while Jose Maria is returning to the traditional agricultural style of the area.