88 2005 Hécula Monastrell (Castaño) 1/17/09 ($13)
14.5% alc
Color: Medium deep garnet. (3.0) Bouquet: Tart blueberry and black raspberry with very youthful, high acidity. Shows slightly grapey, youthful austere right now, but I like the structure. (2.5) Body: Solid middleweight with very good fruit and excellent acidity-based structure. Also has a somewhat rich, chalky texture. (3.0) Flavor: Parallels bouquet with some sulfur, which needs time to subside. (2.5) Finish: Again, parallels bouquet, but more giving with fruit, backbone and an interesting gaminess lingering. (3.0)
Overall: Another excellent Spanish value with fine Mourvedre character, very Bandol-like. Has very good fruit and excellent structure. Needs a few years to be at its best, but enjoyable now after an hour of air. (14.0)