Winery / Producer: Dominio do Bibei (Leading winery in the Bibei Valley, promoting elegant winemaking focused on purity and verticality).

Specific Origin: D.O. Ribeira Sacra, Galicia, Spain.

Varietal Composition: Approximately 90% Mencía, with small integrated contributions of Brancellao, Mouratón, Sousón, and Garnacha Tintorera.

Viticulture and Soils: Old vineyards (between 15 and 100 years old) cultivated on heroic viticulture terraces with slopes of up to 40%. Decomposed granite, clay, and schist soils.

Winemaking and Aging: Meticulous manual harvest in small crates. Partial destemming and fermentation with indigenous yeasts in French oak vats. Malolactic fermentation and subsequent noble aging for 13 to 20 months in used French oak barrels (228 and 300 liters) and in 4,500-liter wooden vats. Natural stabilization and long bottle rest before commercialization.

Style: Atlantic-style red, medium intensity, medium-light body, extraordinarily fluid, fruity, floral, and very fresh.

Alcohol Content: 13.5% Vol.

Capacity: 750 ml bottle.

SKU: ESP-BIBEI-LALAMA-750

Appearance: It displays a beautiful medium ruby red color, with a bright cherry rim, clear and with fluid tears, elegant and dynamic in the glass.

Nose: Of exquisitely frank, clean, and captivating aromatic intensity. Initially, an explosion of fresh and crunchy red fruit stands out (redcurrants, wild raspberries, sour cherries). As it opens, it unfolds very elegant nuances of violets, lilacs, fine spicy notes (white pepper, clove), and suggestive balsamic touches over a subtle mineral and earthy background reminiscent of damp limestone and granite.

Palate: Juicy, agile, and delightfully refreshing entry. On the palate, it unfolds very fluidly, airily, and with a medium-light body, supported by fine, docile, and velvety tannins. Its vertical acidity provides great tension and a constant crunchy sensation. The finish is clean, dry, and direct, leaving a fruity aftertaste and a persistent mineral-earthy nuance.

Versatile and Precise Gastronomic Pairing: The wonderful fluidity and crisp acidity of Dominio do Bibei's Lalama give it outstanding gastronomic versatility. It is the ideal pairing for fine artisanal charcuterie, terrines, pâtés, and fresh or semi-cured goat cheeses. Its crunchy profile superb-ly accompanies poultry dishes (quail, confit duck), roasted farm chicken with Provence herbs, mushroom risottos, and Iberian pork loin. Thanks to its minerality and gentle tannins, it performs spectacularly alongside fatty fish such as salmon, cod, or pan-seared tuna. In traditional and contemporary Mexican cuisine, it creates impeccable harmony with carnitas tacos, tlayudas, sopes de chicharrón prensado, chicken enchiladas with green sauce, and light dishes seasoned with roasted chilies.

Suggested Moments:

• Distinguished Gift for Curious Oenophiles: A highly appropriate gift for collectors or sommeliers who value authentic Ribeira Sacra reds that express fruit with total clarity and terroir purity.
• Weekend Family Meal: Its juicy, gentle, and highly fruity profile makes it the perfect red to preside over a relaxed family meal, easily pleasing both connoisseurs and those new to European wine.
• Summer and Terrace Lunches: One of those wonderful reds that greatly benefits from being served slightly chilled. It is ideal for sunny summer afternoons, providing unparalleled aromatic freshness.
• Gourmet Carne Asada (Appetizers and Lean Cuts): An excellent ally to start the barbecue while sharing cured meats, chistorra, chicken skewers, or gourmet grilled burgers, where its acidity effectively cleanses noble fat.

At what temperature is Lalama from Dominio do Bibei recommended to be served?

As an Atlantic-style red wine focused on highlighting the purity of fresh fruit, lightness, and fluidity, it is advisable to serve it slightly cooler than a conventional robust red. The ideal temperature is between 14°C and 16°C. Slightly chilling the bottle in an ice bucket before serving will notably enhance its vertical acidity and delicate floral perfumes.

Does this Ribeira Sacra wine require prior decantation?

Prolonged decantation is not strictly necessary because its tannins are very round and gentle. However, as it is made under artisanal guidelines with minimal intervention, allowing it 10 to 15 minutes of oxygenation in a large Burgundy-style glass will help it fully unfold its captivating notes of violets, currants, and its mineral background.

Is new wood used in the aging of this wine?

No, Dominio do Bibei seeks in Lalama the purest and most honest expression of Mencía and its granite soils. By using used French oak barrels of several years and large format vats, the transfer of heavy vanilla or toasted notes is avoided, keeping the absolute focus on the crisp fruit and the typicity of the terroir.

What is the estimated aging potential for this Lalama red wine?

Lalama possesses an excellent varietal balance and magnificent vertical acidity that ensure a great aging potential. Although it is in an ideal moment to be enjoyed today for its immediate energy, it will remain in optimal condition and gain complexity over the next 5 to 8 years if stored correctly.