2022 Finca Sandoval Manchuela

The eponymous 2022 Finca Sandoval was produced with Syrah and 5% each Bobal and Garnacha, using the grapes from the best plots in the Casablanca paraje or lieu-dit where they have more limestone. It fermented with 50% full clusters with indigenous yeasts and matured in a 5,000-liter oak foudre. It has 13.5% alcohol, a pH of 3.6 and 5.11 grams of acidity, quite contained for a very warm and dry year. This is the darkest of the wines I tasted this time (it doesn't have any white wines), and it has a deep nose of violets, aromatic herbs, a touch of tar and a smoky side, very Northern Rhône. It's medium to full-bodied, with chalky tannins and a dry, serious finish. This is a powerful vintage—warmer, with more structure—that is going to benefit from some more time in bottle. It's a vintage for powerful food. 6,300 bottles produced. It was bottled in January 2024.