Finca Sandoval, Manchuela, Spain, 2009

Syrah comprises over three quarters of the blend here (the vines coming from a nursery owned by Château de Beaucastel and Tablas Creek), with the rest being Monastrell and Bobal. It’s inky, broad and full of soul, with curranty, Christmas cake fruit driven on with well-judged acidity. A serious, grown-up wine, made by one of the founders of the GPdE assocation.