Albamar O Esteiro Caíño 2017

The spicy and peppery 2017 O Esteiro Caíño took time to show its character, as it started quite closed and a little reductive. This is the variety that is easier to identify—dried roses, cracked peppercorns and ashes/pumice stone are a total giveaway. The palate is electric, light to medium-bodied, with vibrant acidity. This year I found more balsamic aromas, a fragile structure and, as with the Mencía, some similarities with a Cabernet Franc from a cool climate. This is crunchy and vertical, sharp, an Atlantic, marine red. 1,300 bottles were filled in June 2019.