(2025) From Valdeorras in Spain, this is 100% Merenzao from the tiny Los Carismáticos vineyard, planted in terraces and shaped like an amphiteathre. The vines are more than 50 years old and the poor soil is worked manually. Spontaneous fermentation in large, 2,500 litre foudres. It has a pale cherry colour at six years old, the nose lightly truffly with small cranberry and redcurrant fruit aromas, and an interesting green-ish, mineral aspect. In the mouth it is firm and savoury, with a certain suede-like character to the texture. The fruit is again taut, small red berries, and its a wine with a tight core of acidity and tannin. Intriguing stuff, which would work well against Parmesan or mature cheddar I think.