Castaño is a monastrell (mourvèdre) specialist, coaxing the grape’s maximum flavour intensity without slipping into a coarse and overly rustic style. Hécula, made from 35-year-old bush vines grown in both sandy-lime and clay soils, has been a consistent value winner since it was first introduced in the Canadian market. It’s balanced between plush blackberry and mulberry fruit, wild herbs and discreet spice from a short, six-month period in wood. Like all of Castaño’s efforts, solid structure and above-average concentration make this an excellent value for the category.