Dominio do Bibei Lalama

This Mencia based wine is from a nearly unheard of appellation called Ribeira Sacra.  It's on the easternmost side of Galicia, and is extremely rugged and mountainous (and exceptionally beautiful).  Dominio do Bibei is arguably the top winery in the region, and this wine comes from estate vines ranging in age from 15 to over 100 years old!  It's filled with black fruit and mineral notes, with a softness not often seen in Mencia.  The tannins are extremely fine-grained and the wine is silky on the palate.

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• Vintage:	2014
  Format:	6 x 750ml
  Availability:	August 2018
  Country:	Spain
  Region:	Ribeira Sacra
  Varietal(s):	Mencia, Grenache, Mouraton etc.

• PRESS: 93 POINTS, WINE ADVOCATE:
  A champion in quality-to-price ratio, the red 2013 Lalama wants to replicate the traditional wine produced as a field blend that is mostly Mencía with some 10% a myriad other varieties—Brancellao, Mouratón, Sousón and Garnacha Tintorera—from many different vineyards on different soils, altitudes and expositions. The destemmed and crushed grapes fermented in 2,500-, 3,500 and 4,500-liter oak vats with indigenous yeasts followed by malolactic in 300-liter barriques where it was kept for 13 months followed by a further seven months in oak vat. It has an explosive and captivating nose, an explosion of wild berries and herbs, with just a creamy touch and some spices. It's redolent of acid berries, with an electric-like sensation in the palate revealing great freshness, focused flavors, very fine tannins and a clean, long and refreshing finish. This is plain delicious, the best Lalama I remember. 65,000 bottles produced. This combines quality, price and availability from a region where wines tend to be produced in small quantities. It's approachable and ready but should be long lived.