Bernardo Estévez Chánselus Planeta 2023

Bernardo Estévez farms old vineyards in the Arnoia area of Ribeiro in Galicia, working biodynamically and with minimal intervention to make a natural red that has become a reference for the new wave of Galician wine. Ribeiro's granite soils and cool, Atlantic-influenced climate are central to the wine's character, the granite giving a stony minerality and the maritime climate preserving high natural acidity and a light, fresh body. The native red varieties retain their bright fruit and floral lift in these conditions rather than turning jammy. The wine is fermented with natural yeasts and aged nine months in barrel, where gentle oxygen exchange softens the texture and adds a light savoury depth without covering the fruit, in keeping with the low-intervention approach. The colour is bright, pale ruby. The nose is fresh and perfumed, with raspberry and cherry, violet and wild herbs, and a clear mineral, stony note that reflects the Galician granite. The palate is light and lively, the tannins fine, the acidity crisp, the finish clean and herbal. Serve cool, around 14 to 15 degrees, in a medium glass. A versatile red for lighter dishes, roast poultry and mushrooms.