*** 2017 WINE OF THE YEAR IRISH WINE AWARDS OCTOBER 2016/ BEST WINE UNDER €15 AS WELL*** Country: Spain Region: Yecla Varietal:100% Monastrell Vintage: 2013 Colour:Red Style:Dry Producer:Castano Estate Description: The Castaño family owns over 410 hectares of vineyards in the Yecla DO... in south-eastern Spain. 80% of these vineyards are planted with the native Monastrell variety. Castaño symbolises the best of what southern Spain has to offer: rich, warm climate wines made from grapes grown at altitude and transformed into robustly modern wines. For several generations, Bodegas Castaño has been a pioneer in the region. Vineyards This wine is from Las Gruesas and Pozuelo vineyards which are situated at an altitude 750m above sea level. This area has a very different microclimate from the rest of the region which is clearly continental. It has minimum temperatures of -10ºC in winter and up to 42ºC in summer. The area is prone to infrequent spells of heavy rain. The average age of the vines is 38 years old and the density is 1,600 vines per hectare. Soils are a mix of sandstone and limestone. Vintage Information 2014 was a very warm, dry year, with a considerable decrease in yield, especially in the non-irrigated vineyards. Harvest was therefore brought forward by 10-15 days. Weather conditions in the spring caused the vegetal cycle to begin earlier than average and the absence of serious rainfall throughout the growing season brought the vines good health. The resulting wines from this vintage have intense aromatic characteristics and rich flavours. Vinification Fermentation took place in stainless steel tanks for 10 days at 24-26°C. The wine was then aged for six months in oak barrels of which 50% were new. The oak used was 80% French and 20% American. Tasting Notes A deep purple colour in the glass, exuding rich, elegant aromas of blueberries, ripe raspberries and liquorice with a subtle floral touch and a chalky character. On the palate, it is full-bodied, with an inviting richness and soft fruit that is integrated with oak notes in this extremely well-balanced red. Food Matches:Red Meat / Blue Cheese / Barbecues / Spicy ___________________________________________________________________ ***Decanter World Wine Awards Silver*** Country: Australia Region: Riverina Varietal: Chardonnay Vintage: 2015 Colour: White Style: Dry Producer: De Bortoli AppearanceStraw with fresh green hues.BouquetLifted aromas of peach and nectarine complemented with some very subtle vanillin oak.PalateThe palate is soft with a creamy texture and is balanced by fine acidity to give a clean and very long finish.   Ageing Potential: 5 Years Vintage Conditions2013 saw low rainfall in spring with January being quite dry and warm. The dry weather allowed fruit to reach optimum ripeness, with good balance of acidity and flavour. Some light showers fell in late February which helped to freshen the fruit, but not enough for disease to take hold. Vintage started later than 2012 but finished with a flurry with all whites and reds harvested by the end of March. Food Matches:Turkey / Foie Gras / Fish