Nicely mature Mencia, from a single high elevation site on slate and granite soils in Valdeorras, ‘the gateway to Galicia’. So Pinot-esque yet distinctly Spanish too, with dried rose petals, cherry fruit and clove. Gently sappy, with orange oil, pencil shavings and wonderful buoyant acidity. It floats across the mouth- so graceful, and such poise. This may be more famous white wine country, but here’s a beautiful red inspired by the great reds produced here historically.

This 2019 vintage is drinking so nicely with 5 years behind the wine now. Scoring 94pts with Wine Enthusiasts, this is a wine that hugely punches above its price!

#Tasting#

A titan of the Spanish wine industry – introducing Alberto Orte! Oh, where to begin. Hes the guy, at the tender age of 24, who co-founded renowned US based Spanish specialist wine importer, Ol & Obrigado. A farmer, producer and historian all in one, hes dedicated a huge portion of his life to exploring, identifying and preserving old varieties and clones, and has successfully identified a whopping 200+ old clones of Palomino Fino and Palomino Jerez and revived and re-planted over 20 grape varieties on the brink of extinction. As well as his projects in Jerez, Alberto also makes wine from extraordinary sites in Yecla, Rioja and as we have here, Valdeorras.