Juan Antonio Ponce completely fractures any expectations you have for wine made from Bobal (often a dark, dusky, earthy, grape) from Manchuela (blisteringly hot). This is from 40-60 year-old vines, made with 100% whole clusters and aged in old 4,500 liter wood vats. You'll smell earthy dark red fruit - cherry, strawberry - with notes of clove and spice and a hint of leather. The fruit flavors are remarkably bright for all the deep strawberry ripeness and sail on through a chalky, firm, finish where accents of spice, leather and earth linger nicely. *Organic Vintage Scores: 2021 was a cooler year, and the 2021 La Casilla, produced with Bobal from 40- to 60-year old vines at 800 meters in altitude, shows moderate ripeness and 13% alcohol, nice balance and a polished palate but with grip, after the wine spent some 15 months in bottle. It has an explosive nose, clean and expressive, with a somewhat Northern Rhône profile with an herbal twist, as well as depth and balance and very fine, chalky tannins. 15,000 bottles produced. It was bottled in June 2022. Wine Advocate: 94 Points
