
This is a find from the Ribeira Sacra region in Galicia, in the north-west of Spain. I picked up a bottle during a visit to Spain, drawn in by its distinct look and relative obscurity, at least in the UK.
What caught my eye immediately was its label, which features a bold pink tone. This choice wasn’t just about standing out on a shelf. It carries symbolic weight, matching the colour of the vestments worn by Cardinals in Rome. This creates a direct link to the heritage of the winery itself, which stands within a 17th-century rectory building.
The wine is made entirely from Mencía grapes, grown on steep, challenging slopes that have earned the area recognition as one of only four regions certified for ‘heroic viticulture’. This involves intense manual work and a deep respect for the terrain. The wine ferments using native yeasts in stainless steel, with the 2024 vintage coming in at 12.5% alcohol.
It was awarded a Gold Medal at the Berliner Wine Trophy for its vintage, which is no surprise given its performance in the glass. The aroma brings a bright mix of red cherry and raspberry, underpinned by floral touches and a lift of violet. On the tongue, there’s an expressive burst of fresh red fruit, laced with a subtle floral-mineral profile and a thread of liquorice. It’s dry, with medium body and fine, medium tannins that carry through to a finish that’s both mineral and elegant.
At €5.99, it was a great buy, though I’ve yet to come across it for sale in the UK.













