Casa del Duque Monastrell 2017

Spain’s tucked away regions offer top value fascination for wine lovers. Take Yecla – it lies in the southeast, it isn’t large, but its wines have a growing reputation thanks to a handful of determined winemakers. One of the most innovative cellars leading the field is family owned Bodegas Castaño. Founded in the 1950s by Ramón Castaño, it’s now run by his three sons. Their vineyards lie at altitudes of 450 to 800 metres. Perched between mountains and hills, they are high, and yet only 70 kilometres from the sea. Grapes are grown organically – the climate is too dry for disease – and yields are tiny, resulting in power packed reds like this one. Monastrell with a little Syrah, and with four months in barrel, this is a full flavoured red.