You must be of legal purchase age for alcohol in your country or jurisdiction to enter Bottles Without Borders. By continuing, you confirm you meet it.
USA SHIPPING FROM $28
EU SHIPPING FROM €16
$45
El Rapolao is one of Bierzo’s most coveted sites, sought out by leading Mencía growers. The Estévez family source fruit here for a pure Mencía aged twelve months in oak, showing blackberry, red fruit and the slatey minerality of the place.
Description
Rapolao is among the most sought after vineyards in Bierzo, a slate slope in Castilla y León prized by the region's leading Mencía growers. The Estévez family buy fruit here for this single variety bottling, honouring the grandfather whose memory inspired the project. Mencía gives perfumed, medium bodied reds, and the slate and quartzite soils of Rapolao lend a clear mineral cut, while the altitude and the wide swing between warm days and cool nights hold acidity and 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 integrates the fruit without heavy spice. The colour is bright red, the nose led by black fruits such as blackberry and bramble alongside red cherry, with a savoury, slatey minerality and notes of liquorice and dried herbs. The palate is medium bodied and fresh, with fine tannin, a 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.







Additional information
First dibs on rare bottles, members-only drops, and tasting invites — poured straight to your inbox.
One email a week-ish. Unsubscribe anytime.
Chat with a real person — we're online now.