Altos De La Hoya
Altos De Luzon
Casa Castillo
Finca Luzon
Las Gravas
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Altos De La Hoya 2001 Jumilla Monastrell
has inviting vanilla notes on the nose that intermingles with very ripe fruit aromas.
On the palate, the wine is juicy and big, with ripe black cherries, vanilla,
a touch of black pepper, a touch of clove, and a few
blueberries thrown in the mix on the mid-palate.
The finish has some silky tannins.
The acidity is a little round, but all-in-all,
this wine has a great balance of fruit on the palate and texture on the finish.
The finish was very smooth, very New World style.
Retail price $12. Tasted September 1, 2003. Another dazzling Spanish wine earning two  .
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Finca Luzon Merlot Jumilla 2001
The color of this wine is so violet that you'll want to drink it out of an ample wine glass,
so you can contemplate the hue and enjoy the intoxication fumes.
The nose is big, with aromas of sugar cookie dough.
This blend consists of merlot and about 15% monastrell,
or as the French call it, 15% mourvèdre.
The wine has saturated blueberry and boysenberry flavors on the tongue with
an ample dose of cocoa.
The finish has a touch of vanilla and a zip of black pepper.
The acidity and tannins are prominent, but the big fruit flavors help to create a very well balanced wine.
You've got to love a monastrell blend from Spain!
Retail price $10. Tasted August 24, 2003. Shining brightly with three  .
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Casa Castillo 2001 Monastell
is one of the most juicy, textured, wines I've tasted at this price point.
The wine is inky and extracted.
The wine has vanilla, berries, and ripe black cherries on the palate.
The mid palate has structure with cocoa and white pepper.
The gripping tannins balance out the wine giving the jammy fruit flavors a compliment.
Where Finca Luzon was huge, jammy, and smooth because of the merlot,
Casa Castillo is huge, jammy, and textured because of the conscentration of monastrell.
Retail price $10. Tasted June 23, 2003.
Another great Spanish Red with two .
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Las Gravas 2000
is named for the gravel the old vine morvedre, (monastrell) is grown in.
The nose is has a touch of molasses and raspberry leaves.
Their struggle produces juicy, boysenberry, mullberry, and licorice flavors, with attention getting
tannins on the finish.
An inky, juicy, drink now, this bottle will get better with a little time.
The wine is a bit closed when you open it, so give it a little room.
Retail $20. Tasted April 28, 2003. Price, taste, and quality earn it three .
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Altos De Luzon 2000 Jumilla
is produced from a majority old vine monastrell, with some cabernet and tempranillo blended in also.
I really love old vine monastrell and this bottle of wine is scrumptous with its ripe black berries, vanilla,
clove, and black pepper.
The tannins are prominent, but very appropriate for the level of fruit.
The finish is savory with hints of vanilla and smoke.
Retail price $17. Tasted March 14, 2003. Quality and price earn this wine two .
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