García de Lara Finca Villalobillos Tinto de la Pámpana Blanca 2022

García de Lara works from Villarrubia de Santiago in Castilla La Mancha, where the family has grown vines since 1878. This Finca Villalobillos bottling revives Tinto de la Pámpana Blanca, an almost-lost local red variety, planted on the limestone-rich clay soils of the central Spanish plateau. The continental climate brings hot dry summers and cold nights, and that wide diurnal swing slows ripening late in the season so the grapes keep their acidity and firm skins while sugars climb. The wine spends twelve months in French oak followed by three months in stainless steel tanks. The oak phase allows slow oxygen exchange through the staves, softening the tannins and folding in vanilla and a light toast, while the steel rest lets the wine settle and integrate before bottling. It pours a deep ruby. The nose carries red berries and ripe plum over earthy and dried herb tones, with liquorice and a measured oak frame. The palate is medium bodied and structured, the fruit held by fresh acidity and grippy tannins through a savoury finish. Serve at 16 to 18 degrees, ideally decanted, alongside roast lamb or grilled red meat.