Dr. Sam Castillo, a dentist in Duvall, Wash., founded his winery in the Walla Walla Valley town of Milton-Freewater, Ore., where his son, Christopher perfoms the winemaking. They reached into one of the Washington’s largest and oldest organic vineyards — Rosebud on the Wahluke Slope — for a Tempranillo with a big profile yet smooth tannins. The nose of boysenberry, raspberry, plum, black pepper and mocha transcends into a palate focused on that same purple fruit. There’s remarkable balance for this Iberian red grape that’s typically aggressive because sandy tannins, lengthy acidity and crushed walnut provide for length not distraction. Look for this wine also at the Castillo de Felicana tasting room in Woodinville, which is just west of Duvall.
Rating: Excellent
Production: 375 cases
Alcohol: 15%
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