Nacho Gonzalez "La Perdida" O Poulo Tinto 2017

La Perdida “The Lost Wines” is the name given by winemaker Nacho Gonzalez referring to his very natural approach in the vineyards he farms in Valdeorras/Galicia. A biologist by training, he turned to winemaking when his grandmother bestowed upon him a vineyard site named “O Trancado.” Nacho brought it back to life from total neglect, through good farming practices and a desire to save the old vines rather than rip them up and replant. Nacho works out of a tiny cellar in the town of Larouco that he rents from friends. He produces only about 300 cases annually, a number he is happy with, as it allows him to remain in touch with both his vineyards and his wines. The “O Poulo” is a blend of Garnacha Tintorera and Palomino from the Alto a Ermida vineyard, which straddles the Ribeira Sacra and Valdeorras DOs. Nacho has been recuperating this vineyard since 2014. This area is higher in altitude and cooler than his other vineyards at about 600 meters elevation. This structured red spends 1 year in used barrels before being bottled unfiltered and without added sulphur. A medium-bodied and easy-drinking wine with a lot of dark berries, spice, glupable in many ways and though its produced naturally (with no sulfur) tends to be one of the more clean and easy to love bottles he makes. This with a slight chill would be nice alongside a big fabada stew, roasted pork loin, or creamy new potatoes and a grilled steak.