2018 En El Camino

The regional DO Bierzo red—previously called "Plop! En el Camino... Acercándonos"—has seen its name simplified and is now just "En el Camino." The 2018 En el Camino mixes grapes from different places (Villafranca del Bierzo, San Lorenzo, Villalibre de la Jurisdicción, Valdecañada, Toral de Merayo) with clay and red slate soils at altitudes ranging from 400 to 680 meters above sea level. These old vineyards have a majority of Mencía, but there's always a percentage of other varieties—red and white—such as Garnacha Tintorera, Ferrón, Bastardo, Doña Blanca, Palomino... It fermented with indigenous yeast and some 30% full clusters in a combination of stainless steel, chestnut vats and tinaja and matured in clay tinajas and 228-liter oak vats for 10 months. It has a very expressive and attractive nose of flowers, berries and herbs, more on the floral side of things. The palate is medium-bodied and has fine tannins, great purity, focused and clean flavors, a dry, mineral sensation and a very tasty finish. It has a moderate 12.5% alcohol and good acidity, which makes it medium-bodied and refreshing, easy to drink. And it's also delicious! In the future, this will be exclusively from the Ponferrada zone. 5,000 bottles produced.