2016 Falcoeira A Capilla, Telmo Rodríguez, Valdeorras

£55.75 inc. VAT

A stunning red from Telmo Rodríguez and the only bottles available in the UK.

Falcoeira is a blend of Mencia, Brancellao, Sousón and Garnacha from an ancient reclaimed vineyard pointed out to Telmo as the best place to grow vines in Valdeorras by the old winemakers in the region. The terraces of vines form an amphitheatre around the Bibei river which itself creates a cooler microclimate. The soils are granite and the elevation is between 400 – 600m. All vines are hand harvested in to small boxes and further selection is made at the winery.

Fermentation happens naturally through native yeasts and the wine is aged for one year in foudres (large oak barrels). Falcoeira is probably the richest of Telmo’s Ladereiras single vineyard reds and this richness ties in beautifully with the delicate, pretty fruit, intense spice and ripe (but not overpowering) tannins. The wine scores highly with both Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate and Guia Peñín, Spain’s most prestigious wine reviewer.

“2016 seems like a great vintage for the reds here, and Falcoeira kept the freshness and poise within its riper character. The palate is delineated and with a marked stony feeling to it. With time in the glass, the wine became finer and more elegant, and that extra touch of ripeness seemed to disappear. A great year for this wine.” 94 points, Wine Advocate.