Casa Castillo “is not only the leading producer in Jumilla but also among the very best in Spain.”

-Luis Gutiérrez, Wine Advocate

Owner José Maria Vicente, a shining light in a region known for bulk production, has put Jumilla on the fine wine map. He has earned a global reputation for producing elegant and complex expressions of Monastrell, demonstrating the variety’s potential in the right hands and place.

“José María Vicente is Casa Castillo’s most visible face and one of the driving forces behind this more elegant style in Jumilla.”

– Ferran Centelles, JancisRobinson.com

José Maria’s grandfather bought the Casa Castillo estate in 1941, after the Spanish civil war. There were already some vines and an old cellar dating back to the 1870s, built by previous French owners escaping the plight of phylloxera, but for many years the land was used for other crops. This changed in 1985, when José Maria and his father, Nemesio Vicente, began replanting and expanding the vineyards. They released their first vintage in 1991. It has been a steep learning curve for José Maria ever since, and his thirst for knowledge and desire to improve the wines has been unrelenting.  Luis Gutiérrez attests that:

“he’s done what it takes to make world-class wines: travel the world, talk to the best producers, walk their vineyards, purchase and drink their wines and learn from it all.”

Located at the foot of the Sierra del Molar, the 400-hectare estate is home to 170 hectares under vine (certified organic). The soils are primarily calcareous and sandy, and certain plots have a high proportion of gravel. The Monastrell, Garnacha and Syrah bush vines are dry farmed and planted at very low density, resulting in yields of about three tonnes per hectare. Most of the vines are planted on north-facing slopes at some 700 metres above sea level. Conditions in Jumilla can be unforgiving, with hot, dry summers and very little rainfall. The northerly aspects provide some respite from the intense summer sunshine, and a high diurnal range ensures the grapes ripen slowly and retain freshness.

In stark contrast to the harsh conditions, the wines are defined by elegance and precision. They are fermented with indigenous yeasts and minimal intervention, short maceration times and varying amounts of whole bunch. Fermentation takes place in stainless steel and underground concrete vats, and the wines are aged in a combination of concrete and seasoned French oak, primarily demi-muids and foudres.

‘Monastrell’ from the Catalan ‘monestir’ or monastery in English, first emerged in the 14^th century, linking the monastic progress of the time with the grape variety. Monks were committed to the variety, which led to its prestige, and in turn its name, the grape of monasteries: ‘Monastrell’. By the 18^th century, most other names for the grape had disappeared, except for Mataro in Catalunya (a town near Barcelona). The French name ‘Mourvèdre’ was popularised rather than its monastic synonym, because the first vines were exported from the Valencian town of Murviedro in the 16^th century.

‘Las Gravas’ (the gravels) is primarily made from Monastrell (94%), blended with a touch of Garnacha (6%). The grapes are picked from the eponymous north-facing calcareous vineyard. Dry farmed and home to low-yielding 40+ year old bush vines, but also younger vines planted in 2006. Varieties are vinified separately and partially destemmed. The wine was aged for 20 months in 500L and 5000L French oak barrels. Casa Castillo produced 50% less ‘Las Gravas’ in 2022.

The identity of ‘Las Gravas’ has evolved considerably since its inception in 1998. Originally a blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon and 40% Monastrell, José Maria soon realised that Bordeaux varieties were unsuited to the climate in Jumilla. In 2001, Syrah was introduced to the blend and later in 2006, Garnacha. By 2008, Cabernet Sauvignon no longer featured in ‘Las Gravas’.

20,000 bottles produced

N.B This wine is due to arrive soon - until it arrives and ABV can be confirmed, it is only available for purchase In Bond (For Storage).