About The Wine

Lentura hails from the far eastern end of the Galician Massif, in Bierzo. This red wine appellation is extremely different than the red from Rías Biaxas. However, in a land known for its rustic, heavy wines, Lentura is led by vibrant natural tension and freshness, red and black fruits, pointed mineral textures, and medium to low-weight alcohol in comparison to most of the wines made in this region; alcohol and power is easy to achieve in Bierzo, it’s finding balanced elegance that presents a greater challenge. A little more than three hours toward the east from Rías Baixas, the climate in Bierzo is more extreme with much more continental and Mediterranean influence with very little influence from the Atlantic. The summer days can be as hot as 45°C (113°F) while the nights can drop to 15°C (59°F), making for one of the most extreme diurnal summertime shifts in the world of wine. During winter it often reaches temperatures as low as -8°C (18°F), or maybe even more. Bierzo also claims the distinction of the oldest average vine age within Spain, and quite possibly the world. The grapes for Lentura are a mix of 60% Garnacha Tintorera and 40% Mencia. It’s altitude and geologic setting is as equally diverse as its diurnal shift. On the valley floor at 300 meters of altitude the vines are grown on clay, sand and large cobbles, while high up on the hills toward the west, the altitude can reach beyond 1000 meters and is grown on pizarra (slate) bedrock and topsoil. This wine is rendered from vines with an average age of seventy years and comes from both the valley floor and high up on the slate hillside. In the cellar it is fermented with 20% whole bunches for five to seven days, followed by aging in an equal balance of stainless steel and old, 300-liter barrels.