La Estrecha 2017

The single-vineyard Bobal 2017 La Estrecha wants to show the most elegant side of Bobal, and they consider 2017 their most elegant vintage to date, balanced and fresh despite the lack of rain. The grapes—from vines planted more than 75 years ago on granite soils—fermented with full clusters in 4,500-liter oak vats and matured in 600-liter French oak barrels for 11 months. The difference between this and P.F. is there's less color, and I see elegance here, more finesse, with great freshness and moderate alcohol (it's 12.5% alcohol, when in earlier vintages it surpassed 14%...). The difference in color is amazing; this is a lot lighter than the P.F. There is a field blend that may represent up to 20% other grapes, even whites, that are all fermented together. This has to be one of the finest wines Ponce has produced to date. Bravo! 2,300 bottles were filled in August 2018.

This is a very striking, light red with intense, dark minerally accents, across blueberries and brambly cherries. The palate is impeccably rich and plush with strawberries and wild raspberries in abundance. The tannins float, all elegant ,long and silky. This is delicious. Drink now.