I discovered this wine quite by accident last summer. A new wine shop had just opened and one of my favorite things is to peruse a new wine shop. I was impressed with their selection of natural, organic, and biodynamic wines. Many I was already very familiar with. However, I was not impressed with their pricing. I believe I paid $29. for this wine much more than what I currently pay at my regular shop.
The winemaker is Juan Antonio Ponce. He worked as the right-hand man to Telmo Rodriguez at Cia de Vinos Telmo Rodriguez for 5 years. During his tenure, he was in charge of winemaking, vineyard management, etc. His father, who owned some land in Manchuela, convinced him to leave and start Bodegas Ponce with him. The wines are biodynamically and organically farmed, focused on representation of terroir and heavily influenced by the natural wine movement.
This single vineyard La Casilla has an earthy rich nose and exhibits rich and savory dark fruit flavors complemented by hints of bay, thyme, and leather. On the palate, it showcases a firm structure and a calcareous texture. La Casilla impressively captures the natural potency and structure of the Bobal grape, which is native to the Manchuela region, while exuding an elegance and refinement reminiscent of a Cru Beaujolais. $23.