La Senda, "Vindemiatrix" 2022

From Diego Losada who works in the fjordish mountain environs of the Bierzo, a small northwesterly corner of Castilla y Léon (the Léon half of that, more specifically), this is a fascinating co-ferment of 7 different old-vine parcels around the village of Hervededo where each vineyard is co-planted with red and white grapes. The blend changes each year depending on the ratios of vigor of each plant in any given vintage. The primary grape varieties are Mencía, Palomino, and Doña Blanca with Mencía always carrying the majority of the cépage. Partially destemmed, the grapes macerate for several weeks prior to pressing and the completion of spontaneous fermentation in unlined (i.e. breathable) concrete tanks. Bottled unfined, unfiltered, no additional SO2. 11.5%ABV