2022 FUNDAMENTALISTA. Finca Sandoval, Spain.

The vines are grown in the Manchuela region of Castilla La Mancha – one of Spain’s original heartlands to produce saffron!

The vineyards are around 26has, farmed and certified as organic at around 700-1000 metres height. Soils are limestone and sand with vines of an average age of 65 years.

A bend of varietals with Bobal being the leading grape, but what really makes this wine so authentic is they also include a blend of ancient indigenous varieties such as Albilla, Manchego, Marisancho, Tortosí, and Trepadell (yes, we hadn’t heard of them either!).

Finca Sandoval was founded in 1998 and is owned by local businessman Angel Garcia-Cordero with winemaking overseen by Javier Revert.

To complete the authentic nature the vines were handpicked, foot trodden, and co-fermented with some whole bunches included. The wine was then aged in a mix of clay amphora and stainless steel for 8 months before bottling unfined, and unfiltered.

Medium bodied, this wine is silky in nature with a ripe, rounded mouthfeel. A mix of red and black fruits, savoury, and herbal – and individual!