Finca Sandoval 'Aurora' Bianco 2022 750ml

SPAIN : CASTILLA-LA MANCHA : MANCHUELA

Albilla Manchega, Marisancho, Blanco Castellano, Trepadell

MED-BODIED, ALMOND, PEAR, WILDFLOWER, SALINE MINERAL, NEUTRAL OAK

The Aurora comes from white varieties co-planted in Finca Sandoval's old Bobal vineyards — a field-blend tradition in Manchuela going back centuries, where Albilla Manchega, Marisancho, Blanco Castellano, and Trepadell survived alongside the red vines on limestone-and-gravel plots at 600 metres. Vines range from 50 to 85 years old. Winemaker Javi Revert harvests all four varieties together, presses as whole clusters, and co-ferments with native yeasts in 500-litre French oak barrels and clay amphorae.

Ten months on lees, unfined and unfiltered. The result carries saline mineral tension from old limestone-grown whites — almond and pear on the nose, textural weight from the lees, a briny finish. Wine Advocate 92 pts on the 2021; 94 pts on the 2023.

ECOLOGY : Organic

PAIRINGS :
Roast sea bream with capers and lemon — saline finish mirrors the sea; acidity cuts the butter
Tortilla española — almond note and textural weight match naturally with egg and potato
Young Manchego or Garrotxa — limestone in both the milk and the wine; a near-geological pairing
Grilled artichokes with aioli — bitterness in the wine picks up the artichoke; acidity handles the richness
Salt-cured anchovies (boquerones) — freshness and brine drive the pairing; acidity cuts through the oil