2014 Falcoeira a Capilla Valdeorras, Telmo Rodriguez

Very spicy and minerally on the nose with dark fruits such as blueberry and blackberry. Full body, dense and silky textured. Beautiful finish of slate and orange peel. Crystalline. Drink now or hold.

A new single-vineyard red, the 2012 "A Capilla" de la Falcoeira is produced in Valdeorras by Telmo Rodríguez and his partner Pablo Egurkiza from head-pruned, young vineyards on the banks of the Bibei river a recovered vineyard site, which the old-timers consider the best vineyard in the Santa Cruz village and they planted with a classical field blend of red grapes, Mencia, Brencellao, Sousón, Garnacha Tintorera... as it was done in the past. It fermented in stainless steel and aged for 16 months in foudres. It has a creamy nose with some lactic hints - fruits of the forest yogurt - which blows off to give way to spicy, wild berry and balsamic aromas with character in a good rustic way before developing aromatic notes of apricot and peach with hints of cloves that lend a special elegance. The palate is medium-bodied with some grip and better freshness than the red Gaba do Xil form this same vintage. A new red to follow. Only 1,600 bottles were produced in 2012.