Versos de Valtuille Paraje Villegas 2022

Estévez Bodegas y Viñedos works in the D.O. Bierzo in north-west Castilla y León, a region of steep slopes and old vines on slate and quartzite soils. Paraje Villegas is a single-site red built on Mencía, the local grape that gives floral red fruit and a stony minerality, with a portion of the deeply pigmented Alicante Bouschet adding colour and structure. The cool, Atlantic-influenced climate and the slate soils give the wine freshness and a graphite character, and the slate's heat retention helps ripen the fruit on these steep plots. It is aged twelve months in barrels of different sizes, an élevage that rounds the tannins and adds gentle spice while keeping the site's minerality in front. It is deep ruby in the glass, with a nose of wild red berries, plum, dried herbs and a smoky, graphite minerality. The palate is medium to full bodied, with fresh acidity, fine tannins and a savoury, peppery finish. Serve at 16 degrees, decanting briefly if young, in a Burgundy glass. It suits roast game, beef and mushroom dishes.