Casa Castillo Pie Franco 2022
Casa Castillo Pie Franco 2022 is a dry, very full-bodied red from Mourvèdre (Murcia, Spain), in the rich, smooth reds style. Tannins are moderate and acidity fresh; oak influence is some. Good with roast pork, steak, lamb, venison. Drink now or within 25 years (to about 2051). Decant for about 30 minutes. Critic score 98/100 (merchant-reported). Cheapest offer £125.76 at 8wines UK.
| Wine | Sweet | Body | From | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chateau La Negly L'Ancely 2020 Chateau La Negly · Languedoc | £63.68 | |||
| Quinta do Vale Meao Douro Tinto 2023 Quinta do Vale Meao · Douro | £124.10 | |||
| Casa Castillo Las Gravas 2021 Casa Castillo · Murcia | £55.56 | |||
| Ferragu Amarone della Valpolicella 2018 Ferragu · Veneto | £81.50 |
Drink it now or cellar for up to 25 years. It is recommended to decant it for half an hour. Casa Castillo is a Spanish winery founded in 1991. The estate was purchased by José Sánchez-Cerezo and his wife Julia Roch Melgares in the 1940s, on the site of an old winery from the late 1800s, but it was only in the 1980s that the second generation of the family decided to renovate the vineyards and start producing wine again. Today the company, which has about 150 hectares of vineyards, is led by José Mª Vicente, grandson of José Sánchez-Cerezo. Pie Franco is an elegant red wine with a Mediterranean character. It is produced with 100% Monastrell grapes hand-picked from old ungrafted vineyards planted in the 1940s and located in the Jumilla wine region on naturally sandy soils. After fermentation in stone vats with indigenous yeasts, the wine rests for 20 months in large barrels. In the glass, the wine has a bright color with soft cherry tones. Its aromatic profile is delicate and broad, with notes of cherries and fresh red fruits, violets, and aromatic herbs, and a clear mineral touch. On the palate, it is complex and intense, with a lively and refreshing acidity and a juicy character. It has a soft texture and velvety tannins. The finish is long and recalls spicy and balsamic notes. It reveals good aging potential but can also be enjoyed now paired with roast pork or green pepper steak.