Bodegas Ponce 'Depaula' Monastrell Vino de la Tierra de Castilla 2023

Bodegas Ponce 'Depaula' Monastrell Vino de la Tierra de Castilla 202392 pts Wine AdvocateThe Monastrell red 2021 Depaula comes from vines at 700 meters in altitude on very poor soils, and sometimes the grapes don't ripen properly; but that was not the case in 2021, when the vines had enough water to ripen all the grapes thoroughly and produced a wine with very pure varietal character. It's fresh, balsamic and herbal, with a limestone core that delivers length and freshness coupled with a juicy Mediterranean character.

When to drink: 2016 to 2026

comes from the low yields per vine

As you may have guessed from the name

apple and stone fruit notes

Alicante has been grown on Capraia for centuries

or head-pruned

Wine Enthusiast (90): Non-vintage tasted in December 2022

Joe Bastianich

Firm tannins and juicy acidity lend balance to a wine that's more about place

The difference between this higher-priced wine and the more accessible Il Debbio is that this wine only sees oak

Aromatic and polished yet also wonderfully deep

fermented for 2 weeks in stainless steel