95

2017 Verónica Ortega Versión Original, Bierzo

( €22.50, 13.5%, Cuvee 3000, Decantalo )

Spanish retailers appear to be on the 2016 vintage of this wine at the moment, which I haven’t tasted, but this is well worth waiting for and needs more time in bottle in any case. VO used to come from the lower part of the ROC vineyard, but because of the frost in 2017, Verónica Ortega sourced the grapes from an old parcel at 650 metres on slate and sand soils in Villabuena instead. Fermented with 100% whole bunches, it’s an intense, well-structured, very lightly wooded red with notes of fresh tobacco, incense, liquorice and black cherry, impressive focus and the concentration and structure to age further.

BuyDrinking window: 2021-29Similar Wines: €20-25, 95-100, Spain, Red, Mencia, Doña Blanca, Palomino
93

2017 Verónica Ortega ROC, Bierzo

( €27.25, 13.3%, Cuvee 3000, Decantalo )

ROC was the first wine Veronica Ortega ever made, back in 2010, and comes from two old-vine parcels at 400 metres in Valtuille de Abajo. It’s firmer, riper and more structured than her other reds, with more colour, backbone and extract. Showing the very low yields of the first-hit 2017 vintage, this is dark and grippy, with damson and blackberry fruit, plenty of tannin and some added texture from 50% whole bunches.

BuyDrinking window: 2021-28Similar Wines: €25-30, 90-94, Spain, Red, Mencia
96

2018 Verónica Ortega Cobrana, Bierzo

( €26.75, 12.5%, Cuvee 3000, Decantalo )

Verónica Ortega worked in Burgundy (at Domaine de la Romance-Conti, no less) before she set up her own winery in Bierzo in 2010. This hauntingly delicate wine isn’t made from Pinot Noir, but it wouldn’t look out of place in a line up from Chambolle-Musigny. Sourced from seven parcels at 750 metres on slate soils, it sees no wood (only amphoras) and is wonderfully poised and balletic. Raspberry, tobacco pouch and wild strawberry flavours are complemented by rose petal aromas and a nip of sinewy tannin. You may have trouble tracking this down right now, although I’m assured that UK agent Vine Trail will have some next spring.

BuyDrinking window: 2020-28Similar Wines: €25-30, 95-100, Spain, Red, Mencia, Doña Banca, Godello, Palomino
93

2019 Verónica Ortega Kinki, Bierzo

( €21.80, 11.2%, Cuvee 3000, Decantalo )

The intriguingly named Kinki is a very unusual Bierzo for several reasons. First, it’s a co-fermenteation of Mencía with Alicante Bouschet and 30% white grapes (Godello, Palomino and Doña Blanca); second it has only 11.2% alcohol; and third it is fermented and aged in a combination of amphoras and larger barrels. Pale, delicate and elegant, with some clove spice from 100% whole bunch fermentation, flavours of watermelon, wild strawberry and pomegranate, racy acidity and a hint of reduction. Bierzo meets the Côte de Beaune.

BuyDrinking window: 2020-25Similar Wines: €20-30, 90-94, Spain, Red, Alicante Bouschet, Mencia, Doña Blanca, Godello, Palomino
97

2019 Verónica Ortega Cal, Bierzo

( €25.65, 12.5%, Cuvee 3000 )

Cal is one the most exciting wines I’ve tasted this year and ranks among Spain’s very best whites. Made entirely with Godello grown on rare (for Bierzo) limestone soils at 650 metres in San Juan de la Mata, it’s fresh and light bodied, but with remarkable density and concentration for a wine with only 12.5% alcohol. Lees, chalky and saline, this is like a cross between a Chablis and a Rías Baixas Albariño, with aromas of white flowers and sea salt and notes of fresh bread, wet stones and lemon zest. Stunning.

BuyDrinking window: 2020-26Similar Wines: €25-30, 95-100, Spain, White, Godello