Palacio del Conde Gran Selección 2016

As Robert Parker says, “Spain leads the world for sensational wine bargains of character and soul”, none more so than its mature reds. Take Palacio del Conde – a gorgeously complex, oaky 2016, with FOUR Golds, from Valencia. Part of this region is close to the coast, while the more southerly part is inland, up in the hills, and dry. It’s there that winemaker Marta Martínez selects the finest, hand harvested – from 50 year old vines – Tempranillo grapes for this Gran Reserva, then ages the wine for three years in oak barrels. A wonderfully fragrant, silky red with mature redcurrant and strawberry fruit and a rich, toasty character. Sublime with roast lamb or tapas. Viva L'Espania: nowhere else produces mellow, barrel-aged wines of such remarkable quality and price.