Bodegas Ponce, Depaula Monastrell 2020

93 points Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
"The 2020 Depaula is pure Monastrell that fermented with full clusters in 4,500-liter oak vats and matured in a 15,000-liter French oak vat for seven months. It's low in alcohol for the grape, 13.5%, but still a full 1% higher than the incredible 2021 that I tasted next to it. This is very expressive, varietal and very harmonious, characterful and with a textured mouthfeel, with very fine tannins. Here, the Monastrell behaves differently than in Jumilla; it is very difficult to reach 13% alcohol, and in 2020 it ripened thoroughly. I found this to be superb."

Vinous Reverie Notes
Juan Antonio Ponce began his winery in 2005, at the age of 23. He works biodynamically in the vineyard, and in the winery he takes a natural approach, using low levels of sulfur dioxide. His philosophy is to make natural wines with wild yeast fermentation, to respect the local terroir.