2023 DEPAULA PONCE MONASTRELL
"The Monastrell red Ponce produces is the 2023 Depaula. Each vintage since 2019, these grapes are the last to be picked, from a vineyard he purchased in the village of Mahora. He considers 2023 a very balanced and precise year, and this is a good example of it, with a moderate 13% alcohol and integrated and balanced acidity. It fermented with 100% full clusters and indigenous yeasts in 4,500-liter oak vats, where it matured for seven months. It has depth, complexity and elegance without having a lot of alcohol. It's Mediterranean with freshness, very approachable and fine-boned, serious and chalky but with a juicy side too. It's quite approachable already. Again, it overdelivers for the price. 15,000 bottles produced. It was bottled in April 2024." Luis Gutiérrez Robert Parker's Wine Advocate 93+ points Drink 2025-29