Bodegas y Viñedos Ponce La Casilla 2016
Inky, with a tight ruby rim. Intense dark cherry, plums; tones of stone, tar. Floral with some herbal freshness. Very refreshing on the nose. That compliments the structure on the palate which reflects the same deliciously with round grippy tannins, lifted acidities and a med-long finish. A smooth and balanced wine of great wine for the money. Value aside, take the chance to make a path not travelled as frequent requires some attitude and guts.
Why this wine? First, the rarity. Very few tasters have tried good quality Bobal and even fewer winemakers dedicate to this varietal, Juan Antonio Ponce is the master of the Bobal grape, which is thick skins and rusticity, but you don't feel that supposed austerity here.
Second, excellent value. These are inspiring wines, produced from the Bobal grape variety. Bodegas Ponce has received incredible reviews for years, and they are incredibly well-priced. We are very excited to introduce Bodegas Ponce to Hong Kong for the first time.
Third, biodynamic treatment pointing great care and quality. Juan Antonio Ponce began his Bodegas Ponce in 2005 works biodynamically in the vineyard. In the winery, he takes a natural approach. He uses low levels of sulfur dioxide, hand harvesting(remember it is so hot in Valencia in the daytime), chills the grape bunches to 8 degrees C, ferments whole-bunch, with the stems, in a type of fermentation known as "remango", which was once famous in Rioja.
A wine well commented in the inside wine world, particularly Parker et al. RP93.
Bodegas y Viñedos Ponce La Casilla 2016
93 Points, Wine Advocate
"The style of the 2016 La Casilla is lighter and more aromatic and subtle than the 2015, following the character of the year, very mineral (wet chalk), long and tasty. It also fermented with 100% full clusters and indigenous yeasts and matured in well-seasoned 600-liter oak barrels. In a way, the nose made me think of a floral and mineral Gamay from Beaujolas. This is a great value. It's approachable now, but it should also develop nicely in bottle. 11,000 bottles were filled in July 2017." - Wine Advocate
