2020 LG Valbuxán, Tinto, Telmo Rodríguez, Valdeorras, Spain

The second vintage of the red from Valdeorras is the 2020 Lg. Valbuxan (Lugar de Valbuxan, a place from O Bolo). It comes through as austere and serious, a little closed but unmistakably Valdeorras with that combination of wild berries, flowers and herbs. The wine has contained ripeness at 13% alcohol, with restraint and balance. It was produced with a blend of grapes—Mencía, Merenzao, Sousón (a little more this year; it's a grape with very good acidity, the only one fermented separately), Garnacha, Godello and Brancellao—from different vineyards in different zones of the banks of the Bibei River. It's medium-bodied with fine-gained tannins and has a gentle mouthfeel. It's an improvement over the previous vintage. After the wine spent 15 months in 1,500- and 2,000-liter oak foudres, 9,165 bottles were filled in June 2022.Drink 2023 - 2027Luis Gutiérrez, Wine Advocate (November 2023)

A juicy and savory red with plum, berry and cherry aromas and flavors. Some earth undertones. Medium body. Medium round tannins. Shows some flint and slate character. Some gunpowder. Drink nowjames_suckling, jamessuckling_com (October 2023)