Bodegas Ponce, Clos Lojen, Bobal, Manchuela 2023

€16.99

A bright, fresh and juicy red from the very modern new-wave Spanish school of winemaking, this is full of black cherry, blackberry and blueberry notes with a touch of spice delivered on a broad, smooth and succulent palate that keeps you coming back for more.

Fermented in huge oak vats and aged for 7 months in used French oak barrels, this is a brilliant wine to show the excellent quality available from the south east of Spain. The region of Manchuela is just to the west of the Valencia DO, benefitting from a warm continental climate moderated by the proximity of the Mediterranean sea. The Bobal grape is very much from this area and the wine is a super introduction to the variety as well as the region.

Bobal is jet-black and thick-skinned, allowing for full ripening, wonderful colour and the retention of acidity, even in warm climates - it's going to become even more important in the coming years!

Juan Antonio is one of the top biodynamic and natural winemaking in Spain. After working with superstar winemakers Telmo Rodríguez and Pablo Eguzkiza on a number of their projects throughout the country, he left Spain spent time in France learning about biodynamics and how he could apply those techniques to his own vineyards in Manchuela. Blessed with high-altitude vines on a combination of clay, limestone and sandstone, he also has the privilege of vines with an age between 30 and 90 years old, with some of them planted on their own French root stocks (the Spanish call this Pie Franco - literally "French Feet" - to denote the ungrafted vines. Very rare indeed.)

The winery is almost run without human intervention, allowing for the most natural expression of vineyard and fruit, with simple, common-sense handling and nurturing along the way. Spontaneous, whole-bunch fermentation and minimal use of SO2 make this a pure-focused, yet stable, clean and very attractive winery.

And on a lovely local note, this particular bottle was John Wilson's favourite COVID lockdown wine!

Region: Manchuela

Country: Spain

Grape(s): Bobal

Style: Smooth, Organic, Medium, Juicy, Fruity, Fresh, Elegant, Dry, Balanced

Best food matches: Tapas, Soft Cheeses, Poultry, Paella, Chinese, Charcuterie

Alcohol: 12.5%

Why buy from us?

When you buy wine from The Allotment Wine Co. you're helping a small Irish company that in turn supports small, sustainable wine producers who grow the grapes and make amazing wines. We only work with partners who share a deep respect and connection with the land and its traditions, witnessed in a firm commitment to quality and sustainability. All of which makes for better wines.

Delivery & Returns

You'll get free delivery when you buy 12 x 75cl bottles of wine online from The Allotment, saving you €7.99.

We charge €7.99 per delivery for quantities less than that.

Our hours for processing orders are between 9am - 6pm Monday to Friday.

We pack your online wine order along the following timelines:

Wine orders for delivery in Dublin, received before 12pm on weekdays are prepared so that delivery should be expected the next working day.

Wine orders for nationwide delivery, received by 12pm on weekdays are prepared so that delivery should be expected two working days later.

Customer reviews

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I emailed Chris looking for wine recommendations for a birthday gift. Got a really speedy, helpful reply and not only that but he hand delivered it on time to the birthday girl wishing her a happy birthday. Absolutely bowled over by the service. Cannot recommend highly enough.
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★★★★★
Could not recommend The Allotment enough. The selection is fantastic and each wine that I've drank from them has been utterly phenomenal. Delivery was no hassle and I had the wine at my door in 2 days. Couldn't have asked for a better experience.
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Good range of interesting wines. Good personal attention to their orders. Very customer focused. I would be happy to recommend this company to any prospective customer.
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A great experience ordering from The Allotment Wine Company. A wide variety of wines to try something new and at good prices with super quick delivery! Really convenient too as opposed to trying to find parking!
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Chris fields a fine range of excellent, keenly-priced wines. Orders are safely packaged and dispatched efficiently and promptly. Strongly recommended.
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Hi, I'm Chris Gifford.

And you're very welcome to The Allotment Wine Co.

When you wine from me, you're supporting a small Irish business which in turn supports small, sustainable wine producers, as well as other small, dedicated Irish wine importers.

When selecting wines, I look for partners who share a deep respect and connection with the land and its traditions, witnessed in a firm commitment to quality and sustainability. All of which makes for better wines.