2021 Falcoeira a Capilla Valdeorras, Telmo Rodriguez

Aromas of forest floor, rose petals and wet mossy fruit. The depth of the fruit is very impressive, with a touch of minerals. Fine, creamy tannins on the palate with a fleshy core in the middle. Medium- to full-bodied and really long, with lots of wet herbs and roundness from the fruit. From a south-facing vineyard. 3,900 bottles made. Delicious now, but can hold.

The 2021 Falcoeira A Capilla was produced with the red grapes that were picked after September 10, a field blend of Mencía, Brancellao, Sousón, Garnacha Tintorera and other grapes from 45 terraces of a south-facing slope at 400 to 600 meters in altitude. It fermented in 3,000-liter oak vats and matured in 2,000-liter oak foudre. This bottling has been gaining in character as the vines age (they are still very young, close to 18 years now). It has a lifted nose with a volatile touch and is aromatic, heady and rich with elegance. It has grip, depth and expression of the deep granite minerality. It's medium-bodied with juicy tannins and a bitter twist in the finish. It has a character somewhere between Valbuxan and Falcoeira. 3,917 bottles produced. It was bottled in July 2023.