"El Castro de Valtuille" Crianza 2018 93WA
Castro Ventosa
Bierzo, Spain

$24.99 on 4+ mix & match ok (code 6saves2)
$26.99 US LOW

100% Mencia
Vineyards: A selection of vineyards from Valtuille de Abajo
Soil Type: Mostly clay soils, sandy and pebbles too.
Vine Age: 70 to over 80 years old.
Fermentation: Whole cluster

The grapes were hand-picked, extended maceration and fermentation in 500 liters French oak barrels. Half of the production is fermented with the full cluster in oak barrels. Aged for just over a year in 225 and 500 liters French oak barrels. Production 9000 bottles or 750 cases made.

93 pts Robert Parker Wine Advocate (Luis Gutierrez)
It's not easy to make sense of the similar labels and names, but the 2019 El Castro de Valtuille is a blend of different zones that matured in used barrels for one year, really a barrel selection. It has the 2019 character—complete, deep and balanced with ripeness and full flavors—with 13.5% alcohol, looking for freshness and drinkability. It's all old vines planted with a Mencía-based field blend, including some whites—Palomino and Doña Blanca. 7,000 bottles produced. All of the 2019s were bottled between May and June 2021.