2021 La Rosa Bobal, Finca Sandoval

• Style: Full-bodied, velvety Bobal with herbaceous lift
• Taste: Dark cherry, blackberry, wild herbs, savoury meat-stock backbone
• Food: Grilled lamb, mushroom ragù, aged Manchego, game, beef
• Occasion: Date night, gifting, cellar worthy
• Serve: 13% ABV, drink now through 2030

In the Glass — Tasting Notes

Dark cherry and blackberry unfold with wild herbs and a savoury meat-stock undertone, the tannins fine and silken rather than sharp. The acidity cuts through without aggression, delivering an almost Burgundian balance—weight without heaviness. At 13% alcohol, La Rosa tastes neither overwrought nor safe, with a herbaceous character that keeps lesser Bobals from turning jammy. This is presence that catches you mid-sip.

The Winery — Finca Sandoval

Founded in 1998 by Víctor de la Serna, a Madrid newspaper editor, Finca Sandoval transformed overlooked Manchuela into a destination for discerning drinkers. Today, local businessman Angel Garcia-Cordero and Valencian winemaker Javier Revert lead the estate's deepening vision on organically farmed vineyards perched between 700 and 1000 metres above the Jucar River, among medieval towns and Moorish castles. The 2021 vintage offered everything they needed: a cold spring that slowed ripening, summer heat, then August rain that pushed the grapes toward depth. Hand-picked fruit underwent a cold soak, fermented with whole bunches (30% of the lot) and wild yeast in steel, then spent 14 months in large foudre for gradual breathing rather than oak's heavy grip. Bottled unfiltered and unfined, vegan and organic certified, it carries freshness and structure in equal measure—a statement rooted in the region's saffron heritage.

At Your Table — Food Pairing & Serving

This is the wine that reminds you why Spain's small producers matter. Pair La Rosa with grilled lamb, mushroom ragù, or aged Manchego cheese—the wine's saline mineral core finds its match in funky, salty dairy. It's equally at home with full bodied red wine pairings: stews and braises, roast dinners, game and venison, beef and steak. Bobal remains the insider's secret outside the Levante, yet here on Manchuela's slopes it unfurls into something velvety and introspective that belongs on your table for date nights, as a gift for fellow collectors, or cellared through 2030. This sits among our finest examples at this price.