Verónica Ortega 'Kinki' 2023

Verónica Ortega 'Kinki' 2023 is a light, ethereal, and aromatic organic red wine blend crafted by winemaker Verónica Ortega in the high-altitude village of Cobrana within Bierzo Alto. Sourced from 80-year-old bush vines grown on degraded blue slate and red clay soils, it is a co-fermentation of Mencía alongside white varieties like Godello, Palomino, and Doña Blanca, as well as local reds Estaladiña and Alicante Bouschet. Vinified with 100% whole clusters and aged in clay amphorae and neutral vessel spaces under a light veil of flor, it exhibits a pale, brilliant ruby hue. The highly floral nose reveals lifted aromas of fresh red cherry, wild raspberry, pomegranate, dried herbs, and white pepper. On the palate, it is supple and juicy with bright, crunchy acidity, silky tannins, and a saline, mineral finish.

Food Pairing: Pairs wonderfully with charcuterie, seared duck breast, grilled pork chops, roasted chicken, mushroom tarts, and soft mild cheeses.

94 Points - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

The 2023 Kinki has to be the most perfumed, floral and elegant vintage for this bottling; it's a grownup wine, not a teenager anymore. It has very juicy fruit and is really elegant and balanced, more serious but drinkable. It was produced with the grapes from a vineyard that has up to 25% other grapes, not only Mencía but Doña Blanca, Palomino, Godello, Alicante Bouschet (more than usual, which provides freshness) and Estaladiña. It fermented with full clusters, all the varieties together, in and open 5,000-liter oak vat. It comes in at 12.7% alcohol with a pH of 3.4, aiming at contained ripeness, low extraction and high drinkability. The ripeness is more complete and more homogeneous this year in the zone of Cobrana, and the wines are more serious, with a core of bright red fruit, fresh and elegant. It's always bottled early, before the summer, and was bottled in May 2024. 4,378 bottles produced.

93 Points - James Suckling