Dominio do Bibei 2020

Dominio do Bibei sits among the steep slopes of Ribeira Sacra in Galicia, where a team of young winemakers worked early on with figures such as Sara Perez and Rene Barbier to put the land's identity in the bottle by natural means. This red is built from the local Brancellao and Mouraton, perfumed Atlantic varieties grown on terraced slate and granite slopes that fall toward the river. The slate stores daytime heat and reflects it back, helping these late grapes ripen on near-vertical ground, while the cooler, wetter Atlantic climate keeps alcohol moderate and acidity high. The wine is aged around 19 months in used French oak, chosen so the barrel adds slow oxygen exchange and texture rather than fresh wood, leaving the fruit and floral character intact. It is medium ruby with a nose of redcurrant, wild cherry and red berries over violets, crushed herbs and a stony, peppery note. The palate is light to medium and fresh, with fine tannin and a saline, mineral finish typical of the slate. Serve at 15 to 16 degrees, lightly cooled. It suits roast poultry, duck and mushroom dishes.