The 2018 reds are one step above in finesse, elegance and freshness compared with the 2017s, and the 2018 Lalama is even paler and brighter than the 2017. Despite having similar alcohol (14%), the sensation here is more-contained ripeness and better balance. It feels a bit like an updated version of the 2016. 63,315 bottles and 540 magnums produced. It was bottled in November 2020.
Dominio Do Bibei was reluctant to show me their new white wine from Ribeiro, but I bumped into a bottle of the 2015 and I loved it, so I decided to write a note about it. Other than that, they continue producing fantastic wines from Ribeira Sacra. I did some catch-up, because I was tasting older vintages than the wines currently in the market. They are focusing on vineyard work—converting everything to organic and recovering old vineyards. They have 30 hectares in the Bibei Valley, in the villages of Angullo, Soutipedre, Val de Rodrigo and Mendoia, from which they produce 200,000 to 220,000 bottles depending on the vintage. -Wine Advocate
Mencia, Souson, Mouraton, Brancellao, Alicante Bouschet
93+/100 Luis Gutierrez
Sustainable viticulture
