Guímaro Camiño Real 2018

The other red, first produced in 2016, the 2018 Camiño Real was produced with grapes from old vines (over 50 years old) in vineyards in Amandi, one of the subzones of Ribeira Sacra, combining orientations, altitudes and soils. It could be around 80% Mencía and the rest local grapes intermixed in the old vineyards that are always a field blend, with Brancellao, Merenzao, Sousón, Caíño… They fermented with some 60% full clusters in troncoconic oak vats with indigenous yeasts and a total maceration time of 45 days. The wine matured in a combination of 500-liter oak barrels and 5,000-liter oak vats for 10 to 12 months. It has a super-explosive nose that is floral and perfumed—an explosion of violets. In 2018, they have managed to get the fresh profile they wanted, using less barrique and more vat. It has a vibrant palate, with pungent flavors, great freshness and fine minerality. This is hands-down the best Camiño Real, getting close to the quality level of some of the single-vineyard bottlings. It's one of the wines from the new official category called Viño de Garda (vin de garde). This overdelivers in 2018, and it's an incredible value, one of the best in the appellation! One to buy by the case. 20,000 bottles produced. It was bottled in April 2020. Luis Guitérrez