This is a lovely wine. It’s a varietal Mencia from Galicia, from the Valdeorras appellation, which is quite a bit inland on the river Sil. Some background on the wine from importer Ben Llewelyn of Carte Blanche:
Biobra is a Mencia from a tiny vineyard in the eastern end of Valdeorras produced by the excellent Gallegos-speaking Manuel Campo do Gacio. I found this purely by accident whilst driving about Galicia and tasting it in one of only three restaurants he sells too (and who take most of his commercially sold stock). I visited his place up a track, round a bend and past some barking dogs with a few mates and was touched by his honesty and integrity. This is the only biodynamic wine I know of in Valdeorras, and to his knowledge he is one of the only ones in the region as it is hard to have these principles in Galicia. Work is by horse and brute determination on gently sloping clay and limestone soils. All stainless steel and bottled 12 months after ferment.
Barcelos de Biobra 2014 Valdeorras, Spain
13% alcohol. Naturally made from biodynamically grown grapes with no added sulfur dioxide. Vivid purple/black colour. Lovely sweet, pure, floral black cherry fruit. Lovely texture here with nice grippy but fine-grained tannins. Tastes just a little natural (in a good way), with lovely purity of fruit. So utterly drinkable and beautiful. A great expression of Mencia, a lovely grape variety. 93/100 (UK agent Carte Blanche)
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2 Comments on Barcelos de Biobra 2014 Valdeorras, a brilliant naturally made Spanish red
Sounds right up my alley. I think Mencía is my favourite grape these days, it just seems to make so many styles well, across a fairly small area.
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