LA PINADA BOBAL 2020 | UTIEL REQUENA | 92 SUCKLING

The French have a very beautiful expression for wines “vin de soif”, which essentially means a wine that is measured by the purity, honesty and especially, by the joy and refreshment it provides. “La Pinada” is just that kind of wine, it showcases the fruit, freshness and balance of a genuine single varietal Bobal. The grapes are exclusively sourced from a single parcel called La Pinada planted in 1958, growing on alluvial and clay soils.

Bobal is a dark-skinned wine grape variety native to Utiel-Requena in southeast Spain. It is one of Spain's most planted grape varieties behind Tempranillo and Airén. Despite its relative obscurity: Bobal grapes have long been used as a minor blending partner to the region's more glamorous grape varieties. Now, more producers are turning toward varietal Bobal wines, which are dense and chewy with characters of chocolate and dried berries.

A wine to make joyous occasions even more festive. Serve slightly chilled. Pairs with steak and fries, pasta, pizza, or a plate of charcuterie. The grapes are exclusively sourced from 7.4 acres of a single parcel called “La Pinada”, around 40 miles from the Mediterranean Sea and the coastal city of Valencia. Alluvial and clay soils. The vines were planted in 1958 and are bush trained. The vineyard is surrounded by two mountain ranges at 750 meters and can only be managed entirely by hand. Mediterranean climate. Sustainable viticulture. Spontaneous fermentation using natural yeast in a single concrete tank, followed by malolactic fermentation in the same tank to enhance the fruit character. Gentle pigeage (punching down), 10 days on the skins before pressing. Wine is naturally cold settled during winter and 90% aged for 9 months in concrete tank and 10% in neutral French oak barrels. 

Agrícola de Vinos La Higuera is a small project founded in 2017 by two friends, Javier del Blanco and Jorge Navascues, to join their knowledge in the wine industry while working separately with top Estates from different regions all over Spain.

The aim is to nurture and craft honest wines that will honor their origins, with great value and genuine quality, expressing the purity of the grape variety and the environment they are grown in.

Wine type: Red (Rich & Intense)

Vintage: 2020

Varietal: 100% Bobal 

Region: Utiel Requena

Winery: Agrícola de Vinos La Higuera’

Alcohol: 14.5%

Bottle size: 750 mL

Nose: Fresh & Fruit-forward

Palate: Juicy, focused and well balanced, with a crunchy acidity and some light drying tannins

Pairs well with:

Lamb, Steak & Fries, Pasta, Pizza and Charcuterie 

Tasting Notes:
100% Bobal. Fresh & fruit forward aromas of blackberry, cherry, briar, blossom & a hint of earthy minerality; juicy, focused & well balanced; fresh, crunchy acidity & some drying tannins. A harmonious & wonderfully uncomplicated pleasure.