Rafael Somonte makes this wine from the youngest vines of the domaine, 40-year-old mencía planted on slate over clay and chalk. The wine ferments without added yeasts, then moves into oak barrels by gravity for four months of aging, followed by a year of aging in bottle. Gracious in its power, the wine has some grandeur to its herbal flavors and blackberry intensity. While the tannins may be tense, the overall impression is luscious, juicy and ripe.

93 Pts Wine & Spirits