(2023) From Castilla-La Mancha, this is another wine to have adopted the still novel paper bottle which I have introduced with other wines: lightweight, and 100% recyclable. The wine is Merlot, made for Laithwaites by Bodegas Fernando Castro. Deep crimson in colour, with vinous black cherry and spice aromas, a stripe of red liquorice. On the palate brimming with primary fruit, sweet, buoyant and easy drinking. It's perhaps a little too sweet and easy for it's own good, lacking a bit of structure, but a barbecue crowd-pleaser surely. £10.99 in a mixed 12.

(2017) From Almansa in Castilla-La Mancha, in the southeast of Spain, this has an extremely vivid, deep and vibrant colour, and aromas to match. Ripe, juicy plums, black berries and a touch of meaty spice leap from the glass, presenting a bottonless pool of dark fruit aromas. In the mouth the sweetness of ripe fruit is buoyant and full, but there's a fine background of earthy tannin, a touch of savoury, spicy oak, and good plummy acidity too. Really lovely drinking this, and possibly my favourite of the three Botas de Barro wines tasted.