MundoVino Portfolio Book

Castillo de Monjardín | Cast-EE-Yo Deh Moan-Har-Deen | DO Navarra (Navarra), Spain

Castillo de Monjardín lies in the northwest corner of Navarra, in the foothills of the Pyrenées, not far from the French border. The estate is a way station along the famous Camino de Santiago pilgrimage route from Paris to Santiago de Campostella, and its proximity, as well as its historic cultural links to France, provides a winemaking tradition based on Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Merlot—distinct from the viticultural practices in the rest of Spain. Monjardín’s 300-plus acres of vineyards lie on sunny slopes at an average altitude of 1,800 feet, which are cooled by the “Cierzo” wind from the mountains. This unique microclimate and the winemaking skills of proprietor-winemaker Victor Villar yield wines of singularly intense aroma, full flavor, and firm structure.

El Cerezo Unoaked Chardonnay The estate’s Chardonnay grapes are grown in the limestone and clay soils of the El Cerezo (“Cherry Tree”) vineyard. Here they undergo a long, slow growing season and are picked at night to ensure freshness. The grapes are cold-soaked for eight hours, so despite the fact that it sees no oak, the resulting wine is richer than one might expect. El Cerezo is intense, crisp, and aromatic, with an elegant, fresh bouquet of pineapple and green apple. The wine is medium-bodied with a long finish.

Tempranillo Clasico This wine is a bright, complex, well-structured and elegant wine produced from 100 percent Tempranillo grapes grown in the Las Cañas vineyard on the Monjardin estate, which is located in the mineral-rich foothills of northern Navarra. Its lively red fruit flavors and firm structure are preserved with three months

aging in American oak. 2010: “Best Buy” WE

La Cantera Garnacha A blend of 85 percent old-vine Garnacha and 15 percent Cabernet Sauvignon from Monjardín’s seventy- five-year-old La Cantera (“Quarry”) vineyard, so-named because of its dry, mineral-rich limestone soil. All grapes are manually harvested at peak ripeness, and the wine is aged for six months in French barriques. It is bright ruby-red with violet hues and features intense aromas of red berries with a hint of vanilla. On the palate, it is structured and balanced, with acidity and elegance that make it an excellent companion to

most foods. 2011: 89 WS

WINES OF SPAIN

73