2022 Fento Wines O Estranxeiro Ribeira Sacra

Ribeira Sacra is home to some of the most dramatic, vertiginous vineyards in Europe, where ancient Roman terraces cling to near-vertical granite canyons carved by the Sil and Miño rivers. "O Estranxeiro" (The Foreigner) is the brainchild of acclaimed Galician winemaker Eulogio Pomares, created to capture the raw, Atlantic-influenced energy of these steep riverbanks.

In crafting the 2022 vintage, Pomares abandoned stainless steel tanks altogether after realizing steel caused Mencía to become overly reductive. Instead, he fermented and matured the grapes entirely in concrete and large neutral oak vats for seven months. This subtle micro-oxygenation allows the wine to breathe naturally, softening the grape's wild edge while preserving its signature mountain freshness and flinty mineral drive.

Sourced from sustainably farmed old vines, this 2022 release highlights the bright, aromatic tension of cool-climate Mencía. In the glass, it pours a luminous violet-ruby, bursting with aromas of wild raspberry, tart red cherry, crushed violets, and a hint of cracked black pepper. The palate is vibrant, fresh, and medium-bodied, driving flavors of juicy red plum, pomegranate, and wild herbs through a savory, slate-driven finish.

At just twenty dollars, this is an incredible value for handcrafted, high-altitude Galician red wine. Serve with a slight chill alongside roasted chicken, pork tenderloin, or grilled chorizo.