'Finca Capeliños' Single Vineyard Mencía 2020
$210.00 RRP
Just 4 barriques are made from this south-west facing 0.6 hectare plot of dark slate. It's a field blend of Mencía with a little Cariño and Mouratón Negra. Capelinos sits below Meixeman at 350-400 metres and is vinified similarly. 45% stems, long fermentation in open foudre, 12 months or so ageing in 225 and 500 litre old wood. First vintage was 2002.
The name means 'little church'. Capelinos is more strict and structured than the relatively ethereal Pombeiras. A wine of bright, full cherry fruit, great spice, the voice of the soil and well structured.
Despite a butch suggestion, this crackles with witch hazel, tea leaf and black raspberry and is a remarkably calm and composed unit. The palate is a unified field, utterly harmonious, so laid back you could be fooled that nothing much was happening at all.