Description
From the spectacular mountain region of Ribeira Sacra in Galicia, Spain just north of Portugal, this area is a far cry from the hot summers and bull fights of southern Espana. It is cool, green mountainous with flowing rivers- the influence coming from the Atlantic and the steep terraced vines grow in slate and granitic soils at up to 650 metres on the banks of the river Sil and the upper sections of the Miño, the river that goes on to form the border between Spain and Portugal.
This project is the brainchild of Javier Dominguez whose passion is to rebuild this once grand estate. Old terraces are being restructured and new vines are being planted. Dominio do Bibei is a 125 hectare estate with approximately 45 hectares planted today.
19/20 (96/100pts) Decanter and ‘34 great wines to start the New Year’ … “Located on the banks of the Bibei River where Romans once found large deposits of gold, this Mencía blended with Garnacha, Brancellao and Mouraton displays plenty of vibrant red cherry characters with spice. The palate is nicely textured with fine acidity and freshness on the finish. A fantastic wine.” 19/20 points
Made from low-yielding Mencía – with 10 per cent from Garnacha, Brancellao and Mouraton –this is an enchanting Lalama tinto (red) and the most stirring to date. It comes from a range of small terraced plots (home to vines aged between 10 and 100 years) on fragmented slate at altitudes varying from 300 and 750 meters above sea level. The wine is naturally fermented in open wood fermenters and aged on its lees in old puncheon (500 litre) for 13 months and then a further 7 months in larger foudres. It’s bottled without fining or filtration. Like Côtes de Nuits meets the Northern Rhône; its all fluid raspberry and redcurrant succulence bound by filigree, velvet tannins with crunchy, juicy freshness tethering all of the elements together. This is top class, graceful and atmospheric Galicia.
RRP $59
