Mengoba El Rebolón 2019

Mengoba works the steep hillsides of Bierzo in north-west Spain, where El Rebolón comes from old Mencía vines planted on slate and quartzite. These broken slate soils, locally called pizarra, drain freely and force the roots deep, which concentrates the fruit and gives the wine its mineral, graphite-edged character. Bierzo sits in a sheltered basin with an Atlantic-influenced climate, and the marked difference between warm days and cool nights holds the natural acidity and keeps the aromatics fresh. The old vines yield small crops of thick-skinned berries. Fermentation often includes a share of whole clusters for perfume and structure, followed by ageing in oak where measured oxygen exchange rounds the tannins without masking the fruit. The 2019 is a warm but balanced vintage. The colour is deep ruby with a violet rim. The nose leads with wild raspberry, plum and black pepper, backed by smoke, dried herbs and wet slate. The palate is medium to full bodied, with grippy but ripe tannins, fresh acidity and a long, savoury finish. Serve at 16 degrees, decanting young bottles. It pairs well with roast and grilled meats.