De Sol a Sol Velasco 2022

Julián Ruiz Villanueva founded Esencia Rural at Quero in Toledo, turning to organic agriculture and, from 1998, organic wine in a part of La Mancha unused to such ideas. De Sol a Sol Velasco is a natural red made from Tinto Velasco, an old regional variety, with no denomination of origin by choice. La Mancha is a high, dry plateau with a harsh continental climate and poor, often sandy and limestone-rich soils, which keeps yields low and concentrates flavour, while the wide day-to-night temperature swing helps hold freshness in a hot zone. Farming is organic and the wine is made with minimal intervention. It ages 12 months in used French oak barrels, where the older wood adds gentle oxygen exchange and structure rather than overt oak flavour. The colour is deep ruby. The nose shows dark plum, red berries, black pepper and liquorice over a dusty, earthy base with dried herbs. The palate is full and warm at 14.5 per cent, dry and savoury, with grippy tannin and a long earthy finish. Serve at 16 to 18 degrees. It suits grilled and roast meats.