Dominio do Bibei Lalama 2022

Dominio do Bibei Lalama is a red from D.O. Ribeira Sacra in Galicia, built mainly on Mencía with Brancellao, Alicante Bouschet and Sousón. The grapes come from vineyards aged between fifteen and a hundred years, planted between 300 and 700 metres on the dramatic river slopes, across soils of slate, clay and granite. The slate in particular drains freely and radiates stored heat back to the vines, which matters in this cool, Atlantic influenced corner of inland Galicia, while the altitude and old vines give low yields of concentrated, fresh fruit. The harvest is done by hand into small ten kilo cases, each variety picked separately. The wine ages seventeen months in French oak, where malolactic conversion rounds the acidity and slow oxygen exchange refines the tannins while adding only restrained spice, keeping the focus on fruit and minerality. The colour is bright cherry red. The nose shows fresh strawberry and red cherry with subtle herbal notes and a delicate, slate driven mineral edge. The palate is medium bodied, fresh and structured, with fine tannins, lively acidity and a savoury, stony finish. Serve at 16 degrees. It pairs well with roast pork, duck, grilled beef and earthy mushroom dishes.