Sierra Norte, Utiel-Requena (Valencia, Spain) 2015

 This is a big, serious wine crafted from 63% Bobal and 37% Cabernet Sauvignon made from old vines (60 and 40 years for the two varieties, respectively) and aged for more than a year in French Oak.  That oak isn’t shy, but neither is it excessive, as the layered fruit is more than up to the task of counter-balancing it.  Layered and long, this shows mostly black fruit tones with a topnote of oak spice and an undertone of cocoa powder.  Medium-plus body will make this quite versatile at the table, and there’s no doubt it can benefit from a good five years of cellaring.