Pizarras de Otero 2025

Bodega Cuatro Pasos, founded in Bierzo in 2003 by Galician house Martín Códax, make Pizarras de Otero from the native Mencía grape. The name points to the pizarra, the slate soils of Bierzo that drain freely and reflect heat onto the vines, which combined with the cool mountain setting gives a moderate alcohol of 13 per cent and the bright acidity and perfume the variety is known for. The grapes are picked by hand into 20 kilogram boxes, then given a cold pre-fermentation maceration at 10 degrees to draw out and preserve the fruity aromas before fermentation begins. Both the alcoholic and malolactic fermentations take place in stainless steel, with no oak, and the wine is then clarified and bottled. Steel and the cold soak keep the wine fresh, fruit-led and direct, a clear expression of young Mencía. The colour is bright medium ruby with a purple rim. The nose is lifted, with red cherry, raspberry and plum over a floral, peppery, slightly stony note. The palate is light to medium bodied, juicy and fresh, with soft tannin and a clean, mineral finish. Serve at 14 to 15 degrees, lightly chilled. It suits pork, poultry and tomato-based dishes.