La Penitencia 2018

The wine produced with grapes from the Pombeiras vineyard owned by Guímaro on the banks of the Sil River is the 2018 La Penitencia. The vineyard is even smaller than the one used to produce El Pecado—less than half a hectare planted over 70 years ago with a field blend dominated by Mencía but also including small quantities of many other varieties, such as Caíño, Sousón, Brancellao, Merenzao, Negreda, Garnacha Tintorera, Mouratón and even other whites, all on schist soils of granitic origin. This has always been fermented with full clusters and foot treading in 1,500-liter oak vats and matured in 500-liter oak barrels. This has an explosive nose that is floral and exotic, with a wild herbal touch, juicy, a little rustic, very faithful to the origin. It has some citrus notes of freshness, and the palate is intense, high-pitched, electric, pungent and very long and mineral. It has moderate alcohol and very fine tannins, energy and light—it's simply superb. Some 800 bottles were filled in April 2018. - Luis Gutiérrez.