Casa Castillo Monastrell Jumilla 2024

100 Point Vales, Chris Cree MW - "I have visited this amazing property in the sunny southeast of Spain several times and I am always utterly blown away by the quality of wine produced here. The flagship wine, Pie Franco from ancient vines on original rootstocks, is one of Spain's benchmark reds, consistently in the 98-100 point range.

But it is always their Jumilla Monastrell that is the hands down best buy. Born in the rocky, stony soils and sunny dry climate of this special site in Jumilla, it is mainly Monastrell (Mourvedre) with a dollop of Garnacha, it's loaded with deep dark and red cherry fruits, juicy and round on the palate, bursting with flavor yet retaining freshness and bright fruits without a trace of the pruney notes some of the wines in this warm climate display.

Perfect for summer grilling, (we had a whole roasted goat for lunch at my last visit, absolutely delicious and superb with the wines!) This is a back up the truck kind of red you can drink year round with all kinds of food. At well under $20 it has wholeheartedly earned a 100 point value score." Cheers! Chris Cree MW

93+ Wine Advocate - "I also tasted the very young 2024 Monastrell, the first bottling of it, which comes from an atypical vintage on the property; it was a Mediterranean season and had a cool end of the cycle, with wines averaging 0.5% less alcohol, but the grapes had perfect ripening and development of aromas and flavors, resulting in deep colors and profound wines. They didn't have enough Garnacha to use in this cuvée this year, which is again 100% Monastrell. They now have 20 hectares of Garnacha but feel they need eight or 10 hectares more. The wine is stonier than fruit-driven, despite its youth, and it has very good harmony and balance and a very serious mouthfeel and texture. It was bottled in December 2025."