Envinate 2022 Lousas Aldea

The Lousas Vinas de Aldea is the village cuvee from Envinate’s vineyards in Ribeira Sacra (Aldea translates to "village" in Gallego, the Galician language). The grapes are sourced mainly from the Riberas do Sil region, with smaller amounts from vineyards in Amandi and Quiroga-Bibei. Soils are a combination of gneiss, slate, and granite, at varying elevations and expositions. The blend ends up being about 80% Mencia and 20% a mix of the other local grape varieties like Brancellao, Caiño, Sousón, Garnacha Tintorera and others. Aging is in concrete, used French oak and large Austrian foudres. The 2022 is simultaneously elegant and rustic, showing off the burly, concentrated side of this sometimes quite bright and refined red. Each vintage gives us a different expression and this one is worthy of a few years in the cellar and a festive feast when opened.