Pateiro El Patito Feo Tinto 2021

Blend of mostly Caiño Longo, followed by 15% or less CaiñoTinto, Souson, and Brancellao. The grapes are all from a single one-hectare plot (Forraxeiros) and from vines between 15 and 40 years old and grown on granite. Like the white, the vineyard is non-irrigated and farmed organically. Fermentation is with wild yeasts in oak, followed by 6 months aging in French oak. It’s only lightly filtered before bottling, with minimal SO2.

This lively red integrates the oak perfectly; on the nose it’s fresh and full of cherries, cocoa, cranberry, smoke, and savory spices. On the palate it’s bright, with a sunny grape-y quality (for lack of a better description). It’s juicy and mouth-watering, with sour cherry, and cranberry again, with a little bit of meaty/spicy coming forward on the finish, along with grippy young tannins. Pair it with smoky flavors like grilled meats and veggies, and strong, aged cheeses. 666 six-pack cases produced.