Utiel-Requena top buys: 11 great wines to try
Valsangiacomo, bobal deSanJuan 2018 UK stockist: Bibendum, Matthew Clark USA stockist: Looking for an importer
100% bobal, old bush vines, nonirrigated, 750m above sea level, fermented and matured 10 months in raw concrete. Colour: Garnet red with purple hues. Aromas of red berries with light floral notes (violets) and spices (pepper and liquorice). Drink 2020-2025
Alc 13.5%. 93 points - Silver Medal - Decanter Asia Wine Awards 2019
Bodegas Torre Oria, Viñedo Antiguo 2018 www.torreoria.com
Deeply coloured, juicy red wine made with Bobal grapes coming from 80-year- old vines. An enormous depth of dark fruits, warm spice and rich in body while keeping a luscious softness. Succulent and velvety, with sweet berry flavours and a long and silky finish.
Drink 2020-2022 Alc 13%
Pago de Tharsys, Tharsys Único Brut Reserva 2016 Looking for an importer
Pale, raw yellow in colour, the fine delicate bubbles release a bouquet of Mediterranean fruits such as apricot, quince, apple and pear, all mixed with subtle undertones of breadcrumbs, toasted almonds and white flowers. This blanc de noirs spends minimum 38 months in the cellar. Drink 2020-2023 Alc 12%
Bodegas Nodus, Nodus Bobal 2017 Looking for an importer
An intense red cherry colour with dark red fruits aromas balanced with smooth toasted notes and spicy, liquorice hues. On the palate a well- rounded wine with light touches of smoky, toasted vanilla.
Drink 2019-2022 Alc 13.5%
Vinos Sierra Norte, Pasión de Bobal 2017 UK stockist: Boutinot
USA stockist: Looking for an importer
Deep black cherry colour with nice red berry and black fruit aromas, such as strawberries, raspberries and blackcurrants underpinned by creamy, slightly toasty oak with touches of spice and liquorice. Fruit-forward, with rounded tannins, good acidity and hints of vanilla, smoke and toast. Drink 2020-2025 Alc 14%. 93 points - Silver Medal – Decanter World Wine Awards 2019
Vera de Estenas, Estenas 2018 USA stockist: Llaurador Wines LLC
Nice purple colour with violet reflects. Nose shows ripe red fruits, red plumps, strawberries, with fragrant new oak aromas. Palate is dry, with a perfectly balanced acidity, a warm sensation and nice ripe tannins giving a velvety sensation and delicate flavours.
Drink 2020-2025 Alc 14.2%
Chozas Carrascal, Las Dosces Tinto 2018
UK stockist: C&D Wines.
USA stockists: Dársena (California), Wine for the World (NY) A singular freshness, wild bobal character but tame and elegant. In palate it shows a good body, silky wine but also structured. It has a rich acidity and great presence of aromatic fruits.
Drink 2020-2023 Alc 13.5%
BVC Bodegas, Toro Loco Reserva 2015 www.toroloco.wine
Red still wine - vegan. Attractive ripe fruit notes: plum, dark cherry coupled with hints of vanilla. A delightful balanced wine with velvety tannins and great complexity. Aged for 3 years including 1 year in American oak barrels. Drink 2020-2022 Alc 13%
Dominio de la Vega, Paraje Tornel 2016 UK stockist: Jeroboams, Laytons
USA stockist: Searching for an importer
This 100% old vines Bobal is a full and structured one. Everything is together with impeccable balance of ripe fruit with complex terroir character. Full bodied yet melts into fine elegant tannins. Everlasting, fresh, juicy and dense mineral finish. Great joy of single-vineyard Bobal! Drink 2020-2026 Alc 14.5%.
94 points - Silver Medal – Decanter World Wine Awards 2019 Coviñas, Veterum Vitium by Coviñas 2016
www.covinas.com Veterum vitium is made exclusively with the oldest vines in the area (>80 years old), manual harvested and selected and oaked for 3 to 6 months. A balanced wine, with smooth and silky tannins and persistent fruit on the palate.
Drink 2020-2030 Alc 13.5%
Bodegas Faustino Rivero Ulecia, Faustino Rivero Ulecia 2013
UK stockist: GM Drinks
USA stockist: Looking for an importer Ruby colour with violaceous and reddish hints. Notes of ripe fruit, black plum and nuances of toast. With good body, velvety and round. Serve at 16 to 18 º C. Meat dishes, stews and cured cheeses.
Drink 2020-2023 Alc 13%