Bobal

In the highlands of Valencia, at more than 2,500 feet altitude, lies the Mustiguillo winery, which has been at the forefront of the indigenous Bobal grape’s renaissance since its foundation in 1990. They use another obscure local white grape, Merseguera, for other white wines as well as producing their own  olive oil. This is an elegant wine showcasing the effects on the Bobal grape with only a small amount of oak aging. The nose shows smoke and floral aromas which perfectly frame the ripe berry fruit characters. On the palate, the tannin is fine but deceptively grippy, making this a great wine for food. Drink now to 2020.

One word summarises the Mustiguillo message and that is Bobal, one of the greatest and most under-rated Spanish grape varieties, now on the cusp of a renaissance. Mustiguillo is a family project, dedicated to organic viticulture and the pursuit of elegance and finesse rather than excess oak and the like. A well-rehearsed mantra maybe, but one that does not have many adherents of such pedigree.

Located on terraced escarpments of ancient Dolomite limestone, the vineyards of Quincha Corral are seen by many as the definitive statement of the Bobal varietal. The bonus of the superlative 2012 vintage underlines this statement with a deeply coloured wine, its rich, smoky, floral aromas and luxuriant, grippy mouth-feel harnessing an ensemble that has a long and successful life to look forward to.