2016 Daterra Viticultores (Laura Lorenzo) “Portela do Vento” Vino Tinto, Ribeira Sacra, Spain.
From a vineyard in the Amandi, Val do Bibei, comes Laura Lorenzo’s Daterra Viticultores Portela do Vento Vino Tinto, grown on the Ribeira Sacra granite with sand soils, it’s an organic site with 20-60 year old vines, and is a blend of 90% Mencia and 10% Garanacha Tintorera (Alicante Bouschet) that is 20% whole cluster, it’s Lorenzo’s “Glou-Glou” (quaffer) easy to drink offering. With native yeast ferment in stainless, the Portela do Vento is aged 9 months in large used French oak cask, this cuvee is racy and vibrant with an almost Langhe Nebbiolo like intensity, while being fresh and medium bodied with this 2016 showing a bit more cut than the 2015 with lovely and spice red fruits, mineral charms and light perfume. The 2016 is different than the 2015 in that it is spicier and more racy, it stats with almost chili/peppery note along with vibrant red fruits, mineral tones and anise, the palate is textural and layered with soft tannins and good deal of acidity keeping things lifted and lighter in the mouth. Flavorful and fresh, this Portela do Vento shows plum, raspberry, cherry and blood orange fruits along with salted black licorice, a mix of floral elements, dusty earth, red pepper and a touch of wild herb. With air things getting going with an expanded array and deeper expressions with a more dark and opulent profile emerging while retaining it’s red fruited character, less Syrah like than most Mencia based wines, picking up on that Nebbiolo like reminder, though certainly this is a unique wine that stands on it’s own, it’s truly it’s own style, with every experience I fall more in love with Lorenzo’s wines and those of this region.
($30 Est.) 93 Points, grapelive
