Malahierba, Sierra de Salamanca DOP (Castilla y León, Spain) Rufete 2022 ($30, San Pelayo Imports)

Tucked along Spain’s border with Portugal, the high-elevation region of Sierra de Salamanca is home to Rufete, an indigenous varietal known for producing lighter, fruit-driven wines. Malahierba’s Rufete shows a pale ruby hue with a lively mix of red fruit and mineral tension. It’s a drink-now style that adds freshness and intrigue to any wine rotation. Balanced and quietly complex, this is the kind of bottle that pairs beautifully with a rustic meal as the weather cools — something to lift the mood and brighten the table.
89 Vince Simmon