Estévez Bodegas y Viñedos Versos de Valtuille Vino de Villa 2023

Versos de Valtuille is the village level red from Estévez Bodegas y Viñedos, drawn from the family's old vines at Valtuille de Abajo in the Bierzo region of Castilla y León, ground tied to their forebear Antonio Estévez. The wine is pure Mencía, the grape that defines Bierzo, picked across plots within the village. The soils here run to slate and quartzite over clay, lending a clear mineral cut, while the altitude and the wide swing between warm days and cool nights hold acidity and aromatic freshness at a moderate 13.5 percent. The wine ages twelve months in oak barrels, where a slow exchange of oxygen through the wood softens the tannins and settles the fruit without heavy spice. The colour is bright cherry red, the nose led by rose petal and fresh red cherry with a savoury, slatey edge and notes of dried herbs. The palate is medium bodied and fresh, with fine, supple tannin, a light peppery lift and a clean, stony finish. Serve at 16 to 17 degrees after a short decant. It suits roast lamb, grilled beef and mushroom dishes.