Castillo de Fuente Macabeo Review

Castillo de Fuente is produced by a relatively small cooperative called Bodega La Viña.

Bodega La Vina grows organic grapes and produces a number of domestic and international varietals in Valencia, Spain.

They boast over 2,400 hectares of grape vines, along with a slew of quality certifications for their vineyards.

I was very excited to try this bottling, both because I am an avid fan of Macabeo and because 2016 was a benchmark that had ideal temperatures, rainfall, and climate conditions. In short, it was a generational rockstar of a vintage.

Contents

Castillo de Fuente Macabeo Review
Final Thoughts

Castillo de Fuente Macabeo Review

Here I am reviewing the 2016 bottling. 2016 is a bit older for a Macabeo, but I found this bottle to still be in prime condition.

It is fermented entirely in stainless steel to maintain a crisp, fresh profile. The region they are located in benefits from warm days, cool nights, and plenty of influence from the ocean breeze.

This allows for a long growing season with high yields in the vineyard.

Castillo de Fuente Macabeo Summary

Brand: Castillo de Fuente
Country: Spain
Region: Valencia
Wine Type: White Wine
Varietal: Macabeo (Also Known As Viura)
ABV: 11.5%

Appearance

The wine is star bright and clean in the glass. The legs are light and delicate, slow to form and to fall. The wine is practically clear, with no traces of oak or oxidation as far as the eye can tell.

Smell

Aromas of honeydew and tarragon come gently from the glass, along with a bit of honeysuckle. Following closely behind is the scent of fresh lemon zest.

The aromas are quite delicate, and I really had to sniff around in there to get much from the reserved glass.

Taste

Lime peel, meyer lemon, and herbs dominate the palate. There are bits of lemongrass and raw banana, which show through nicely on the mid-palate.

The finish has a strong note of hazelnut from the bit of age it has on it. Said finish is long, sticking with you for quite a while.

There is a lovely freshness, with some nice acidity which keeps your mouth watering with every sip.

What Does Castillo de Fuente Macabeo Pair With?

The complexity, moderate acid, and lack of tannins make this a very food-friendly bottle.

This would do very well with Eastern dishes such as coconut curries, Thai seafood, or goat cheese.

Alternatively, given the secondary flavors, thanks to the age, pair it with roasted meats and resinous herbs if you prefer a heartier dish.

What Are Wines That Are Similar to Castillo de Fuente Macabeo?

If you are looking for something similar to this, I highly recommend trying Viura. Viura is the name given to this grape varietal in Rioja, Spain.

Alternatively, I find that fans of New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc enjoy Macabeo such as this. They both have good acidity, lots of citrus fruit, and go great with seafood!

As far as particular bottles, I would recommend trying Allan Scott Sauvignon Blanc, The Ned Sauvignon Blanc, or Ontañón Akemi Viura Rioja if you would like to keep exploring Spanish options.