Ponce Red wine 2024

Ponce is the work of Juan Antonio Ponce, who trained under Telmo Rodríguez before returning to his native Manchuela in Castilla La Mancha to build his own estate. The wine is made from Bobal and Moravia Agria, two native varieties he has championed for their freshness and purity. Manchuela sits inland at altitude, where limestone and clay soils and cool nights preserve acidity and aromatics in grapes that can ripen fully in the warm days. The fruit is farmed sustainably and the two varieties are grown and handled separately. Rather than new barrels, the wine ages for twelve months in large foudres, where the greater volume to surface ratio means gentle, slow oxidation and very little wood flavour, keeping the fruit clean and the texture light. At 12.5 percent this is a pale, bright red, with a perfumed nose of red berries, cherry and delicate floral notes over a savoury, earthy base. The palate is fresh and low in tannin, more about lift and detail than weight, with a mineral, lightly grippy finish. Serve cool at 14 to 15 degrees, with roast chicken, mushroom dishes or grilled salmon.