Camándula 2019

Camandula is made by Bodegas Peixes, the Galician project of Jesus and Curro of Fedellos do Couto, working outside any denomination of origin in Viana do Bollo, in the Ourense massif. Their 5 hectares of vineyards lie between Valdeorras and Ribeira Sacra, planted on cold, high sites pushed right to the limit where the grapes can still ripen fully. It is a field blend led by Garnacha Tintorera with Mencia, Souson, Mouraton and Grao Negro, the traditional mix of these old Galician plots. The altitude and cold exposure are the heart of the wine. Slow, marginal ripening preserves high acidity and fresh aromatics, while the granite and slate soils lend a stony, savoury character rather than ripe weight. Garnacha Tintorera is a teinturier grape with red flesh, which adds deep colour and structure. The wine is aged twelve months in used French oak barrels, where the neutral wood allows a gentle oxygen exchange that softens the tannins without adding obvious oak. It is medium bodied and fresh, with red berry and plum fruit, pepper, a smoky mineral edge and a herbal, savoury finish. Serve at around 16C; it suits grilled meats and mushrooms.