2017 En El Camino

The 2017 Plop! En el Camino... Acercándonos is a straightforward red from old vineyards in Magaz de Abajo, Cacabelos and Villafranca del Bierzo on clay and quartz soils planted with a field of Mencía with some white grapes and other reds, such as Ferrón, Garnacha Tintorera and Bastardo. It fermented with 30% full clusters in stainless steel and matured in tinaja (terracotta amphorae) for ten months. It has floral aromas intermixed with roasted pumpkin seeds, more complex than the previous vintage, even if the 2016 had better natural conditions. It has very good finesse and length, with very fine tannins, about halfway between Burgundy and the Northern Rhône. Somehow clay soils seem to cushion heat in warm years and the wines keep a cool sensation. It has the character from Bierzo. 5,000 bottles were filled in May 2018.