Los Renteros 2024

Grape: 100 % Bobal

Production: around 900 bottles, from a clay amphora

Origin: Las Monjas, Venta del Moro (Valencia), around 700 m

Vineyard: Bush vines around 77 years old, dry-farmed, no herbicides

Soils: Sand, clay and pebbles

Climate: Mediterranean with continental influence; cooler nights during ripening in 2024

Winemaking: Hand-picked into 18 kg crates, destemmed, lightly crushed, about 5 days on the skins, then pressed

Ageing: 5 months in 600 l clay amphorae under a flor yeast layer (velo flor); unfined, unfiltered, no added sulphites

Alcohol: 12.5 % vol

Bobal under flor: after five days on the skins, the wine spends five months in 600-litre clay amphorae beneath a layer of yeast like the one known from sherry. That gives it a slightly salty edge. Ruby, with fresh red fruit, pomegranate and dried herbs; juicy and round on the palate, with a hint of balsamic on the finish.

At 12.5 % and with that saltiness, this is a red we would open with fish: pan-fried fish, paella, pasta with vegetables. White meat or mild cheese work too.