2020 Ponce, Bodegas y Viñedos Ponce : 'One of the finest wines in central Spain'

A quick and necessary reminder: the name of the family and estate is Ponce, pronounced ‘pon-thay’. I think it is definitely worth stressing that once more, but, perhaps more importantly, the fact that I think their wines are truly world-class; Bodegas y Viñedos Ponce brings out a rare distinction in Bobal, the grape variety employed, and the results are sensational...

2020 Timorasso Derthona, Vigneti Massa - Every home should have some

What is particularly fascinating about Massa's Timorasso - and something most definitely in evidence in the 2020 as it was the 2018 - is that the relatively opulent, expressive fruit character makes for a wine that is immediately appealing and very more-ish, while the underlying mineral tension and structure are indicative of a wine that will certainly age in bottle for a number of years. This is a very compelling wine....

2019 'Podium' Verdicchio, Garofoli - 'A classic in the making'

Garofoli is easily one of the most prominent producers in the Marche, where they have carved out an enviable reputation for their Verdicchio. Today, the fifth generation oversees the estate, and they have done much to elevate the quality. Their reputation was cemented in the 1980s as being at the forefront of quality-minded growers...

Another outstanding example from Recaredo : 2016 Serral del Vell

The reputation of this estate is inextricably linked to patience – each of their wines spends a minimum of two and half years ageing on its lees in bottle in their cellars, far and above the minimum stipulation for Cava or Champagne for that matter. Some of their wines spend a whopping 30 years in their cellars. Interestingly, this focus on extended ageing echoes the approach championed...