Finca Los Halcones Bobal

Dark, generous and properly full-bodied, this is Bobal with some serious depth. Blackberry and ripe dark fruit lead the way, followed by black pepper, liquorice and a little savoury oak spice. It’s fleshy and rounded through the middle, with plenty of structure and a long, persistent finish, but Bobal’s natural freshness keeps all that richness from becoming too heavy. A brilliant bottle for stews, roast meat, game or anything slow-cooked.

Vega Tolosa is a family winery in Manchuela with a particular focus on Bobal, the native red grape of this corner of eastern Spain. Finca Los Halcones comes from one of their oldest parcels and is made in limited quantities, with the emphasis firmly on old vines, organic farming and giving Bobal the kind of serious treatment normally reserved for much more famous varieties.