The cool-climate red is from Galacia, on Spain's northwest corner. I'll be drawing liberally here from the website of the importer, The Source Imports. "A native of Galicia, Gutier Seijo Otero developed his own project, Mix and Mixtura, in 2019 after nearly a decade at the helm of the historical Ribeira Sacra winery, Dominio do Bibei. Though his winery is in Ribeiro, the project is focused on recovering historical vineyards and native grape varieties in northwestern Spain and Portugal along the Miño and Sil rivers. His wines disregard traditional political boundaries and are labeled without appellation and variety. The project is rooted in a deep respect for the land and culture, using minimal intervention and native yeasts, with Mix largely vinified and aged in small old French oak and Tava amphoras, and Mixtura in concrete eggs and Stockinger barrels."
They aren't kidding about the labeling. I am really just guessing that the vintage is 2021. I could be wrong. I don't have to guess about the composition, though. Mix Tinto is made from 70% Bierzo Mencía grapes, grown "on granite bedrock with a topsoil of deep red clay and cobbles," and 30% "Ribeiro Caiño Longo on granite bedrock and sábrego (decomposed granite with granitic clay and sand) topsoil." The grapes were crushed whole cluster and the wine was aged in French oak for eleven months. Alcohol hits only 12% abv and the wine retails for $34.
This wine is dark purple, almost indigo. The nose is bright and strident. Aromas of blackberry dominate, and plenty of minerality comes through. A layer of oak spice completes the scene. On the palate, savory is the word. Earthy tones cover the dark fruit, while spices play with a hint of oak. The finish is lengthy and the tannins are firm without being overwhelming.
