CASTILLO REAL

Varietal Blend: Monastrell 90%, Tempranillo 10%
Total Production: 4000 cases

TASTING NOTES:
Nose: Crushed dark cherries with hints of spice and chicory
Palate: Medium structure, smooth tannins, good acidity with fresh black fruits Finish: Nice balance and length. Typical Bullas minerality and spice

VITICULTURE/VINIFICATION
2006 saw a healthy hand-picked harvest during the last week of September and first week of October. The fruit was fermented in stainless steel for ten days with four aerated pumpovers per day and rack and returns carried out. Only free run juice was used following fermentation. The wine saw no oak and only two light filtrations..

Denomination of Origen
Bullas is the newest of the Murcia based DO’s (Yecla, Jumila) but an old growing area. Occupying a large area in South Eastern Spain, the DO is know for Monastrell plantings but has had excellent success with Tempranillo and Syrah as well.
The soil is calcareous sedimentary rock with useful limestone content and good drainage. Falling between the Mediterranean and the high Andalucian sierras Bullas enjoys very hot summers but cooler than the other Murcian DOs due to the sierra influences and the1,900 - 2,500 foot elevations which produces wines with more restraint than the neighboring DOs. Winemakers and importers are excited about the future of this young DO.

TECHNICAL DATA
pH: 3.68
ALC: 14.0%
RS: 2.3g/l
TA: 5.6 g/l
Oak: None
VA: 0.56 g/l
Free SO2: 31 mg/l
Total S02: 59 mg/l

WINEMAKER: Norrel Robertson, MW
2006 is the first vintage of Castillo Real and it demonstrates the exciting potential of Monastrell from Bullas. An excellent harvest from the high altitude pine-studded vineyards lead to good fruit expression and pure flavors using only stainless steel. Norrel and Bodegas Del Rosario winemaker Luis Javier Perez Prieto collaborated to deliver a quintessential Bullas Monastrell