A Rosé From Yecla, Spain

Can you get a bargain rosé from Spain?...

Bodegas Castano

As the summer is rapidly fading away, it’s high time to review some rosés. Today’s wine carries the Spanish Yecla DO designation, which means that it comes from the Yecla area in the region of Murcia, not far from the Mediterranean Sea in south eastern Spain. The vineyards tend to be stony-limestone and receive a perhaps unbelievable 3000 hours of sunshine a year. That’s a good start but these wines tend not to be great, even though people have been making wine here since ancient Roman times. This winemaker has been around since mid-century and describes the different vineyards and wines on their website. As you will read below this wine is made from the red Monastrell grape, known as Mourvedre in Provence, France where it may be transformed into the often excellent red Bandol AOC wine. Today’s companion wine is a moderate-priced rosé from the better-known Navarra wine region in north central Spain, based on the red Garnacha or Grenache grape.

OUR WINE REVIEW POLICY All wines that we taste and review are purchased at the full retail price.

Wine Reviewed
La Cason de Castaño Rosé 2009 12.5% alcohol about $8

There were no marketing materials so let’s quote from the back label. La Casona Rosé is a carefully made wine of 100% Monastrell. The grapes are sourced from dry farmed vineyard sites ranging from 8-15 years old. Blooming strawberry and raspberry aromas with a slight nose of bakery. It shows a fresh pleasing fruity palate. And now for my review.

Monastrell Grapes

At the first sips I found the wine strong and fairly long with a slightly harsh acidity. The initial meal consisted of chicken legs baked in Agave nectar with soy, sliced potatoes, and onions. When paired with the chicken this rosé was round and its acidity became refreshing. I tasted strawberries. This acidity did a good job of cutting the grease associated with the potatoes and onions and I now tasted some raspberry as well. A fresh tomato reduced the wine’s acidity, which was now balanced. The dessert of fresh strawberries sweetened but also muted this wine.

My next meal was a packaged vegetarian lasagna based on ricotta and mozzarella cheese that I augmented with lots of grated parmesan cheese. This rosé became sweetly acidic and refreshing. It was crisp and mouth cleansing and tasted of strawberries. With breaded eggplant sticks it deepened and intensified. For dessert I enjoyed almond meringue cookies. Now the rosé was sweetened; it was feathery and almost syrupy.

My final meal was an omelet with lots of parsley, chili, black pepper, and garlic. In response the wine was round with balanced acidity. Its acidity stepped up to meet the side dish of zesty guacamole. This rosé disappointed when it encountered raspberries straight from the market. They two did not mesh; there was no marriage of fruit flavors.

Prior to my traditional cheese tasting I enjoyed a Japanese mix of rice crackers and coated peanuts. This wine was fruity and upbeat; a fine combo with both snacks. Then came the light-tasting provolone cheese. The Monastrell responded with light fruit and a tinge of sweetness. It was round. In the face of a tastier Swiss cheese this wine dropped off substantially and then picked up.

Final verdict. If I were a fan of rosé, I would buy this wine again. It qualifies as a bargain, as most of the pairings were fairly good.

Access the companion wine A Rosé From Navarra Spain (Under $15)

About the Author

Levi Reiss has authored or co-authored ten books on computers and the Internet, but to be honest, he would rather just drink fine Italian or other wine, accompanied by the right foods. He teaches classes in computers at an Ontario French-language community college. His wine websites include
www.theworldwidewine.com    and    http://www.wineinyourdiet.com

Visit his website devoted to italian travel www.travelitalytravel.com

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