Dominio do Bibei, Lalama Tinto 2020

The vines are located on terraced clay and slate vineyards, biodynamically farmed, and the wine vinified in concrete eggs and variously sized, used oak barrels and foudres. Since the primary grape, Mencia (tiny quantities of Mouraton and Garnacha Tintorera are blended in), tends naturally towards reduction, this style of winemaking seems to make perfect sense to create balanced, elegant wines. Organically cultivated fruit on beautiful vineyards, biodynamic practices, thoughtful winemaking.

Dominio do Bibei is located in the Quiroga-Bibei sub-zone of the Ribeira Sacra D.O. Like all Ribeira Sacra sub-zones, this area is one of spectacular mountain ranges and flowing rivers, but it is drier and harsher than the other sub-zones. Javier Dominguez is the author of this crazy adventure to recapture a once grand vineyard. Old terraces are being restructured and new plantings are afoot. Dominio do Bibei is a 125-hectare estate with approximately 45 hectares planted today. Javier's vision of austerity and respect for the history is reflected in the winery and its simple design. Gravity rules. There are no stainless steel tanks; wood or cement are the vehicles of choice and they come in all different sizes. The idea is to return to the past to rediscover what was once here, so the estate follows many of the ideas of biodynamic viticulture to obtain the purest expression of this terroir. Planted on these terraces are old vines of Mencia, Garnacha, Brancellao and Mouraton. New plots are being planted using cuttings from these old vines so as to maintain clonal diversity in the vineyard. In addition to the red varietals, there are plantings of white grape varietals such as Dona Blanca, Godello and Albarino (the cuttings of this last grape being from Do Ferreiro). The sites vary greatly based on the orientation of the plots and the soil types. Because this is a transition zone which touches Valdeorras, soils of slate, granite and clay are interspersed among the hillsides.