Intense and complex fruity aromas of cherry, prune, and blueberry, with spicy kick of black pepper and bell pepper. Palate adds cedar and a bit of smoke. Raspberry emerges on finish. Rich and mouth-coating. Medium body; good length. Smooth. Should be even better in two or three years. A steal at $17 (or recently $20,80 at the SAQ). I tasted it alone (January 2015) but look forward to opening another bottle with grilled pork chops and grilled vegetables.

Here's a wonderfully deep, rich, and complex Monastrell-dominant blend with heady aromas of raspberry and black pepper broadening out into pencil/graphite, earth/barnyard, blueberry, dark cherry, and candle wax, then cherry tartness on the finish before the prominent tannins take over; admirably harmonious, but it does start to come apart after awhile, and while youthful and vibrant, it could probably use another couple of years for better overall integration beyond the alluring nose; still, another great value from Yecla, home to so many great values, and a very fine effort indeed.

This is what a friend of mine described as an "honest" fruit forward wine with a subtle earthiness. Overall, it was good value for the price.

The 2012 Castaño Solanera Viñas Viejas, composed of 70% Monastrel (supposedly the oldest Monastrel vines in Spain), 15% Cabernet Sauvignon and 15% Garnacha Tintorera that were aged in oak for 10 months; has soft aromas of milky cherry and milky black cherry on the nose and milky cherry, wood undertones and subtle smoke on the palate. It is a medium bodied, extra-dry, fruity wine; UNBALANCED with sharp acidity, refined and dusty tannins (decant for 30 min {at least} to 2 hours) and a medium to long finish. This is a food friendly wine; drink now and for the next 3-5 years (cork enclosure). My impression: NICE, 88 pts – the wine evolves in the decanter as time passes, decanting is a must. Tasted in May/15.

See my wine recommendations readily available at the LCBO here:

http://grapeselections.com/grapeselections

or here @

http://www.winealign.com/wino/dantrcka/recommended-wines-you-can-still-buy

11664902
ce rouge incroyable dévoile des notes de copeaux de crayons, de fleurs d’acacia, de framboises noires, de bleuets et de cassis. Ce 2012 corsé et intense goûte comme s’il coûtait de trois à cinq fois plus cher. Corsé, étonnamment pur et texturé, il devrait se conserver de quatre à cinq ans, possiblement davantage.