Valtuille Cepas Centenarias, Bodegas Castro Ventosa 2020

The 2020 Valtuille Cepas Centenarias, a wine from only one plot since 2018, showed extremely well in 2020, the finest in the vintage together with the La Vitoriana, almost as good as the amazing 2021. The Matalospardos zone of the village is where the soils mix sand and clay, and a corner of the plot delivered some 2,000 kilograms out of the 6,000 kilograms of grapes from the whole vineyard, which has a lot of white grapes and results in very good finesse in the wine. It matured in 225- and 500-liter oak barrels for 12 months. 3,800 bottles and 36 magnums were filled in January 2022. 2023-2032

This wine is 85% Mencia with the remainder local varieties, made from the oldest vines at the estate that are over 100 years old. 100% wholebunch fermentation before maturation in used oak barrels for a year. A vibrant, bright purple colour that is matched by beautiful and fresh blueberry and red cherry fruit on the nose. There is an airy, floral quality to this wine which a hint of green peppercorn and rosemary. The palate is juicy yet fresh, plump red and black fruit is propped up by fine tannins and tangy acids. This wine has great vibrancy, with intense yet delicate fruit and a long, fine finish. A joy to drink now.