The 2012 Val de Los Frailes Rosado is a blend of 80% Tempranillo and 20% Verdejo. It has a light bouquet of red cherries, strawberry and a touch of lime flower that is well-defined, becoming more candied as it opens in the glass. The palate is medium-bodied with crisp tannins. It is not a complicated rose but is very fresh, if just a little short. Drink now. Located in the sub-region of Cubillas de Santa Marta, Bodegas Valdelofrailes is part of Grupo Mattarromera run by the Carlos Moro family (see Bodegas Emina in last issue’s Ribera del Duero report). Established in 1999, they presently farm around 78 hectares of vine in Cubillas de Santa Marta and Valoria la Buena that includes some century-old plantings. I visited their facility, a functional rather than aesthetically pleasing winery equipped with modern machinery and approximately 800 American and French oak barrels. Importer: Matarromera USA Inc. www.grupomatarromera.com