Bodegas Ponce - Manchuela Pino 2023

Robert Parker - Wine Advocate

About the wine:

The 2023 Pino, a wine that tends to be rather reserved in its youth but has proven to be quite smooth, comes from a vineyard with a strong character: a one-hectare plot planted 40 years ago on limestone soils at 800 meters above sea level. The whole clusters fermented in a 4,500-liter oak cask and were aged in a 3,500-liter oval oak vat for 10 months. The nose is slightly oaky, spicy, and faintly smoky, with a serious profile and good structure; the palate is medium- to full-bodied with abundant tannins that need time in the bottle to mellow. A second bottle showed that the impact of the wood was less pronounced. It exhibits good maturity, an alcohol content of 13.5%, a pH of 3.5, and an acidity of 5.8 grams. It has very good aging potential. 4,000 bottles were produced. It was bottled at the end of July 2024. A bottle from 2010 seemed young, with intense notes of tapenade and tree bark. 2026–2037

James Suckling

About the wine:

This Bobal reminds me of a linear, refined Syrah in the Rhône style. Aromas of meat, lard, and dried herbs give way to floral and spicy notes, but the dark, vibrant fruit remains present throughout the tasting. On the palate, the wine is chalky and vertical, with little fruit, which lacks fullness. It is a classy, taut, stony, structured, and well-integrated wine. An amazing value for the price. Made from organically grown grapes. Drink now.