Castillo de Almansa Reserva Piqueras 2002
The 2002 Castillo de Almansa Reserva is a red wine produced by Bodegas Piqueras. Holding the Denominación de Origen (DO) classification, this Reserva reflects the viticultural traditions of its origin in southeastern Spain.
The wine comes from Almansa, a region located in the Albacete province of Castilla-La Mancha. Functioning as a geographical transition zone between the high central plateau of La Mancha and the Mediterranean Sea, Almansa was granted its official DO status in 1966. The vineyards are situated on a flat plateau at altitudes ranging from 700 to 1,100 meters above sea level. The climate is continental with distinct Mediterranean influences, leading to extreme temperature fluctuations. Summers can reach up to 40 degrees Celsius, while winters bring frost down to minus 10 degrees. With a sparse annual rainfall of just 250 to 350 millimeters, the vines grow in a dry environment where the well-draining soil predominantly consists of limestone with low organic matter, alongside areas of sand and stones.
This vintage is crafted from a blend of Tempranillo, Monastrell, and Garnacha. Tempranillo is a primary Spanish grape variety frequently cultivated in regions such as Rioja and Ribera del Duero. Monastrell, the Spanish name for Mourvèdre, is commonly found in areas like Jumilla, Yecla, and Alicante, while Garnacha, known internationally as Grenache, is widely planted across Spain, including Navarra and Aragón. During the production process, the wine was aged for 12 months in oak barrels before bottling, followed by an additional period of resting in the cellars of Bodegas Piqueras prior to its release.
The history of the wine
Below, you can delve into the history of this wine — its producer, grape, area, and region.
Almansa
Almansa is a Spanish wine region with the status of Denominación de Origen (DO), located in the southeastern part of the province of Albacete in Castilla-La Mancha. The area serves as a geographical transition zone between the high central plateau, La Mancha, and the Mediterranean Sea. The vineyards are primarily located on a flat plateau at an altitude of between 700 and 1,100 meters above sea level, where the soil predominantly consists of limestone with a low content of organic matter as well as areas with sand and stones.
The climate in Almansa is continental with clear Mediterranean influences. The region experiences extreme temperature differences with very hot summers, where temperatures can reach up to 40 degrees, and long, cold winters with frost down to minus 10 degrees. Precipitation is sparse, typically between 250 and 350 millimeters annually, which creates a dry environment for the vines.
Viticulture in Almansa can be traced back to the 16th century, and the region achieved its official DO status in 1966. The tradition is strongly rooted in the production of red wines, where the local grape varieties Garnacha Tintorera and Monastrell play a central role together with Cencibel, which is the local name for Tempranillo. Garnacha Tintorera in particular is characteristic of the area due to the grape's dark flesh, which distinguishes it from most other black grape varieties and has made it a cornerstone in Almansa's wine history.
When this wine was made, the world looked very different. Here are some of the stories that unfolded while this bottle quietly aged in its cellar.
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Storage
Store the bottle horizontally at 12–14°C and avoid direct sunlight, vibrations, and temperature fluctuations.
Opening
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Enjoyment
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