Verónica Ortega VO

The red 2018 VO Versión Original was produced with grapes from an old vineyard called Los Barredos in the village of Villabuena at 600 meters in altitude, the east side of a slope planted over 100 years ago with an old phenotype of Mencía and a field blend of other varieties that deliver small bunches that are very tasty, with a low pH and marked acidity. The higher part of the plot is planted with some 10% of white grapes, Godello, Palomino and Valenciana plus some Malvasía. The full clusters fermented with a few pump-overs during the 20-day maceration, and the wine was pressed with a vertical press and then aged in 225-liter oak barrels for 18 months. It has the beautiful 2018 perfume—very floral—and the advantage of the added complexity of one and a half years in bottle, with something medicinal and balsamic, a touch of incense. Time has also polished the tannins in a wine with lots of structure that required more time in barrel. It has the crunchiness and vibrancy of the year, with abundant but fine tannins and a long, dry and tasty finish. It's fresh and alive, livelier than the 2017. 2,200 bottles were filled in June 2020.

Lustrous mid garnet. Sleek, fruity and minerally with lots of grainy mineral notes. Very characterful rather than smooth and sculpted. Good balance, medium weight and refreshing yet with no excess of acidity. Light inky character on the end. At peak now, I'd say.