This is a beautiful lighter red wine from the Ribeira Sacra region of Spain. It’s from the Merenzao variety, which is the local name for Bastardo (Portugal) and Trousseau (France). The Fedellos do Couto project (which translates as the ‘four brats of Couto) is a collaboration between Jesús Olivares, Carlos Bareño, Pablo Soldavini and Luis Taboada, and they have 5.5 hectares of vines.

Taboada had vines in his family property, with prized old north- and east-facing vineyards (cooler exposition), while Soldavini is a viticulturist, and Bareño and Olivares are winemakers. The project has been going since 2011. The wines are made with whole clusters, wild yeasts and neutral French oak. Soils are granite and schist. UK agent is Indigo Wine.

Fedellos do Couto Bastarda 2013 Ribeira Sacra, Spain
11% alcohol. Pale cherry red colour. Wonderful aromas of cherries, herbs and violets with some cherry liqueur notes. Sappy and bright with lovely purity. Fine and expressive, this is a silky lighter-style red wine with fresh red cherries the key theme. Quite Pinot-like. 93/100

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