José Antonio García Viticultor Valtuille Vino de Villa 2021

José Antonio García returned to Valtuille de Abajo in 2010 to revive his family's old vineyards, some between 80 and 100 years of age, spread across 75 small plots. This village wine, a Vino de Villa, is pure Mencía from those sites. Bierzo lies in a sheltered basin in the north west of Castilla y León, where Atlantic and continental influences meet and the old vines grow on slate and clay soils. Slate retains daytime heat and drains hard, pushing the roots deep and giving Mencía its characteristic graphite and mineral lift, while the cool nights hold the natural acidity. Ageing runs to 11 months in French oak, enough to add structure and a light toast while keeping the variety's bright fruit intact. The wine is medium bodied with a deep ruby colour, showing red berries, dark cherry and a savoury earth and liquorice character, finishing with fine tannins and a smoky mineral edge. Serve at 16 degrees, ideally decanted. It is a natural match for roast beef fillet, game birds and mushroom dishes.