If you like Pinot Noir, with an open mind… “Definitely an estate to follow closely.” says the Wine Advocate.

And we did! Swept off our feet dear Operatives, we LOVE these wines. Say THESE because this red has a white sister too, but there was even less of it, so you’ll find it in the Store here.

Anyway, the red! Wow. Was 60 bucks upon release, and so dang worth it too as it can easily compete with Grand Cru Burgundy and such for purity, intensity, and complexity. Can’t still believe we slashed it down to $35, with 95 points and other rave reviews, this we guarantee will become one of your top wine discoveries… at least in 2022. Trust us.

Magical Mencía! Venerable Valdeorras!

A grape, and a place that has come together in the heart of Galicia. Valdeorras is a high valley at 1,000+ feet elevation that’s just north of the Portuguese border in that Atlantic-influenced northwestern corner of the Iberian Peninsula.

To quote DRC alumni and top winemaker Veronica Ortega “Mencía is a very delicate grape variety, it’s the Spanish Pinot Noir as its incredibly sensitive to terroir and its environment. Its character changes a lot depending on the soil. The minerality comes through when grown on schist…”

Which is exactly what the soil is here, granitic schist, so let’s dive in!

A striking bright ruby with brilliant purple accents on the rim. Very perfumy with crushed wild berries, mostly of the red kind, with a touch of blueberry and currant, a healthy dose of exotic spices, and the telltale minerality. A floral element of violets and juicy darker cherry notes dominate the palate with a vibrancy that coats the velvety tannins underneath. Unique and long, with the seriousness of a top red from anywhere in the world really, yet distinctly Galician, thanks to the outstanding terroir. This would be a joy to pair with local cheeses and charcuterie, or spicy seafood tapas.

With Spain’s oldest institution CVNE taking the helm here and assigning their top winemakers, mainly Contino’s winemaker Jorge Navascues overseen by Iñaki Sanz, no doubt these are world-class wines. As Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate well put, at “this relatively new estate in Valledeorras things have stepped up appreciably while prices remain extremely fair given their quality… An increasing number of bottlings are slowly being issued, focusing on single parcels, and the style leans toward elegance rather than heft. It’s clear that CVNE is strongly committed, so this is definitely an estate to follow closely.”

Don’t miss out on this highly limited tiny production (just 4 barrels made!) Wine Spies exclusive, even though we scooped up all that’s imported!

95 Points – James Suckling

“A very cool new red with blackberries, raspberries, cracked black pepper and cloves on the nose and palate. Medium to full body. Firm and silky tannins. Charming and energetic. Such clarity. Drink now.”

93+ Points – Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate

“This is a serious red, with the somewhat savage character of the reds from the zone, with notes of wild herbs, flowers and berries. It has a medium-bodied palate with the vibrant sensation from 2018, a freshness that comes from the zone and the granite soils too. This should develop nicely in bottle. Drink 2020-2024.”