A good way to get a feel for the quality of a producer in Burgundy is to taste their Bourgogne Rouge and one gets the feeling that Jose Maria feels the same way. The Jumilla from Casa Castillo is made from younger vines sourced mainly from La Valle vineyard where the soils are silty and the grapes have more of a varietal expression than his rockier vineyards. Once labeled Monastrell José Maria has been incorporating increasing amounts of Garnacha into this wine so that now it is about 80% Monastrell with 20% Garnacha. After a natural fermentation in tank the wine is aged for 8-9 months in neutral 500 liter French oak barrels, and foudres.
