Veronica Ortega 'ROC' 2022

Verónica Ortega 'ROC' 2022 is an artisanal, highly expressive single-vineyard red wine crafted by winemaker Verónica Ortega in Valtuille de Abajo, within the Bierzo region of Spain. Sourced from 80- to 100-year-old vines planted on mineral-rich sandy, clay-slate soils, it is made predominantly from Mencía co-fermented with a small percentage of native local white varieties. Hand-harvested and wild-yeast fermented with a significant portion of whole clusters, the wine is aged for over a year in neutral oak barrels. In the glass, it features a deep ruby-garnet core. The aromatic nose displays intense scents of black cherry, wild raspberry, dried rose petals, licorice, and a cool, slate-like mineral backbone. On the palate, it is medium-bodied, refined, and focused, presenting dark berry flavors balanced by vibrant natural acidity, fine-grained firm tannins, and a long, savory finish.

Food Pairing: Pairs wonderfully with roasted lamb, grilled pork chops, duck breast, mole negro, venison ragù, wild mushroom tart, and aged cheeses.

95 Points - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

The serious and slightly more reticent 2022 ROC was very recently bottled and needed a little more time in the glass to open up. This is the first wine she ever produced in Bierzo in 2010, and it has kept the elegant profile through the years. In the very warm 2022 vintage, she picked the grapes on September 2 and, thus, managed to keep contained ripeness and alcohol (13.3%). It fermenting with full clusters in large oak vats and aged in 228-liter oak barrels for 16 months. It's textured and juicy, with very fine tannins, a rounder mouthfeel and great purity of flavors. 4,972 bottles were filled in March 2024.