2015 Gorvia Tinto

Mainly Mencía blended with a small share of Bastardo and Caíño Redondo. Long maceration followed by fermentation in stainless steel tanks, 50% whole bunches. After maturation in the same tanks the wine is moved into used barrels of 300 and 500 litres to finish ageing. Produced by José Luis Mateo. Tasted blind. It is a delicate Mencía perfectly accompanied by layers of soft fruit. The wine lingers and the palate is harmonious. The lively acidity is well integrated, a superbly balanced wine. The wine has a meaty touch and finishes with a firm texture. A great bottle of Mencía. (FC)

The red 2015 Gorvia is produced with grapes cropped from the same one-hectare vineyard as the white of the same name, on a south-facing slate slope in the surroundings of the Monterrei Castle. It's a Mencía-based blend, with some 5% Bastardo and Caíño Redondo. It fermented in an open stainless steel vat with 60% full clusters and a very long maceration, was kept there for six months and then put in used 300- and 500-liter casks. There is a combination of ripeness and freshness that is unusual. None of the wines here show any oak, and they are on the elegant, rather than powerful, side. Having said that, 2015 is very complete, and this has good stuffing, with the finesse I expect in the reds from Muradella. 3,000 bottles were filled in May 2017.