Castaño Alcaria Old Vines | 2016 | 750 ml.

WE89 Wine Enthusiast 6/1/2018

"This blend of Monastrell, Syrah and Garnacha Tintorera feels lively, its dark plum and berry aromas laced with chocolate. Smacking tannins create a dry sensation, framing ripe black plum and prune flavors. Complex notes of spice and tomato emerge on the firm finish." (89 pts.)

JD91 Jeb Dunnuck February 21, 2018

"A custom cuvée made for importer Eric Solomon with Jean-Marc Lafage, the 2016 Alcaria is a blend of 50% Monastrell, 25% Syrah, and the balance Garnacha, brought up in a mix of French and American oak barrels. An incredible value that more than over-delivers, this deeply colored red boasts terrific notes of ripe black fruits, chocolate, smoked herbs, and graphite. With full-boded richness and a sexy, opulent style on the palate, it opens up nicely in the glass and should keep for 2–4 years." (91 pts.)

SP89 Wine Spectator Dec 31, 2017

"Floral and mineral notes frame juicy cherry and red plum flavors in this fresh red. Crisp acidity keeps the supple texture focused, while firm tannins give this some heft. Monastrell, Syrah and Garnacha Tintorera. Drink now through 2024. 6,000 cases imported." (89 pts.)

RP89 Robert Parker’s The Wine Advocate 29th Dec 2017

"One of the new custom cuvées for their U.S. importer Eric Solomon is the 2016 Alcaria, which is about to be launched. It’s a GSM-ish blend of 60% Monastrell with 25% Syrah and the remaining Garnacha Tintorera with a short time in French and American oak barriques. It’s a little reduced right now after bottling (most probably because of the Syrah), so you might need to give it an energetic decanting or some more time in bottle. The meat component in many wines in this region is part of the signature and the rustic elegance of these wines. There is no reduction in the palate, where the tannins are fine-grained and there’s good balance. 120,000 bottles produced. It was bottled in July 2017." (89 pts.)