Description

Casa del Capitán Monastrell Pie Franco | DO Yecla, Spain

Casa del Capitán is a silky, fresh and beautifully expressive Monastrell that shows a more elegant side of Yecla.

Made from 100% Monastrell, the real story here is the vineyard. These are old Pie Franco vines, growing on their own original roots rather than being grafted onto American rootstock — something increasingly rare and rather special. The label itself points to old vines dating back to 1925.

In the glass, the wine is packed with juicy red fruit — think cherries, raspberries and ripe berries — followed by Mediterranean herbs, gentle spice and a subtle touch of French oak. There’s plenty of character, but the fruit remains the star.

The palate is where this wine really wins you over. It is smooth and silky, with excellent freshness, fine tannins and just enough structure. Around eight months in French oak adds a little complexity without turning it into a heavy, woody red.

This is a lovely bottle for anyone who enjoys Monastrell but wants something fresher, softer and more refined. Give it a little air, serve it around 15–17°C and let those old vines do the talking.

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🍇 Key Details

• Region: DO Yecla, Murcia, Spain
• Grape: 100% Monastrell
• Vineyard: Old Pie Franco vines in Campo Arriba
• Wine Type: Old-vine red wine
• Ageing: 8 months in French oak barrels
• Alcohol: 13.5% Vol.
• Style: Silky, fresh, fruity and Mediterranean
• Serving Temperature: 15–17°C
• Contains Sulphites

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🍷 Tasting Notes

• Appearance: Deep cherry red with bright ruby tones.
• Aroma: Juicy red berries and cherries with Mediterranean herbs, gentle spice and subtle French oak.
• Palate: Fresh and silky with vibrant red fruit, excellent acidity, smooth tannins and a long, balanced finish.

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🍽 Food Pairing

Perfect with:

• Grilled lamb
• Roast beef
• Barbecued meats
• Meat and bean stews
• Spicy dishes
• Charcuterie
• Mature cheeses

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💎 Why We Love It

Old-vine Pie Franco Monastrell with freshness rather than heaviness. Silky, juicy and full of character, with the French oak kept beautifully in the background.

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About the Producer

Bodegas Barahonda is a family winery in Yecla, where the Candela family has been closely connected to wine for generations. The winery’s modern history dates to 1925, the same year referenced on the Casa del Capitán label.

Monastrell is at the heart of Barahonda. The hot, dry climate of Yecla suits the variety beautifully, while vineyards at higher elevations help preserve the freshness that keeps the wines from becoming overly heavy.

Casa del Capitán takes that story one step further through its Pie Franco Monastrell. These old vines grow on their own roots, surviving without the American rootstock used for the vast majority of European vineyards following the phylloxera crisis.

The wine then spends eight months in French oak, but the idea isn’t to cover that old-vine fruit with wood. Instead, the oak brings a subtle extra layer while preserving the red fruit, freshness and silky character of the Monastrell.

The result is a very appealing expression of Yecla: Mediterranean enough to have character, but fresh and polished enough to make the bottle disappear remarkably quickly.

Explore more in our Red wine collection.