The corresponding red 2014 Gaba do Xil Mencía also contains a small proportion of other grapes that are co-planted in the old vineyards. They use both their own grapes and grapes purchased from traditional growers. It also fermented in stainless steel with indigenous yeasts and was bottled unoaked. Mencía in stainless steel tends to produce some reductive wines that need some air. 2014 is a vintage that achieved better ripeness and good balance, and the wine shows a profile of wild berries and a leafy touch, with something earthy and a note of tangerine peel providing freshness and perfume. The palate also has some earthy, slightly rustic/dusty tannins, a profile that fits very much with the savage character of the place. This is one of the best quality to price reds from Valdeorras, and a wine produced in decent quantities.
Luis Gutiérrez, April 2016