2016 Vina Mein Tinto Clasico

Wines from vines that grow in igneous soils — from those terroirs classified as granitic or volcanic — are famous for their aromatic complexity, for their distinctive minerality, and for their extraordinary persistence on the palate. These are the wines of the Northern Rhone — from great appellations like Cornas and Hermitage. These are also the wines of Beaujolais — from the great Crus of Morgon, Fleurie, Brouilly, and Moulin-à-Vent. And these are the wines of Galicia, specifically, the wines of the region of Ribiero.

About 35 years ago, Javier Alen replanted 16 hectares of vineyards on the hillsides of the Avia River in Ribiero. His objective was to revitalize the viticultural of the region — a region with a winegrowing history as old as ancient Rome. In the following quarter of a century, Javier led the movement that rediscovered the glory of Galicia’s ancient white grapes — grapes like Albariño, Godello, and Torrontés.

For his next achievement, Javier asked two of Spain’s most gifted winegrowers, Dani Landi and Fernando Garcia, to guide his estate into the world of Galicia’s ancient red grapes. The three of them began identifying specific sites, instituting organic farming practices, and aging their wines in large cement and oak vessels.

The result is a new glorious Viña Mein red wine as ancient as the terroir of the region.

Javier, Dani, and Fernando make Viña Mein Tinto Clásico from the indiginous local grapes of Brancellao, Sousón, and Caiño Longo. And they cull their grapes from the granite soils of two sites, from vines growing in those soils for nearly 90 years.

The florality of the aromas of Viña Mein Tinto Clásico reminds you of great Cru Beaujolais — wines like Lapierre Morgon, Foillard Fleurie, Thivin Brouilly, and Chermette Moulin-à-Vent. Like those wines, the fruit of Viña Mein is pure and true, bright and beautiful — a silky mouthful of red summer berries, with a striking and persistent smoky minerality.

Viña Mein Tinto Clásico is red wine for the connoisseur —  a red identifying the region of Ribero as one of the world’s great terroirs. Better yet, Viña Mein Tinto Clásico is the kind of red wine summer was made for. A companion for the patio and the dining room, and for any summer dish you can imagine.