Olga Verde Toxo Villa de San Clemente 2023

Olga Verde produces Toxo above the village of Otero in the mountains of Bierzo, in Castilla y León. The wine comes from organic vineyards over eighty years old on north-facing slopes, surrounded by the thorny gorse known locally as toxo. It blends Mencía with Merenzao, a pale, aromatic mountain grape that adds lift and finesse. The north-facing aspect and mountain altitude give a long, cool growing season, and the old vines yield small crops of concentrated fruit while the wide day-to-night temperature swing holds bright acidity. The wine is aged for nine months in oak barrels. This relatively short time in cask softens the texture through gentle oxygen exchange while keeping the fruit and floral aromatics to the fore. The colour is bright, pale cherry red. The nose shows red berries and redcurrant over dried flowers and rose, with thyme and a savoury, mineral undertone. The palate is light bodied and fresh, the tannins fine and the acidity vivid through a clean, savoury finish. Serve at 15 degrees, lightly chilled. It suits lighter poultry, game and earthy dishes.