Tasted next to the 2019, the pink label unoaked 2018 Castro Ventosa shows the advantage of one extra year in bottle and the graciousness of the vintage, which must have been one of the finest in recent times. This is a wine that is sold mostly locally, with great success, and one that showcases the variety and the zone. This is approachable, juicy, varietal, a little more Rhône (I always think of Bierzo as somewhere between Rhône and Burgundy), rich and tasty, with an herbal touch. This was produced with grapes mostly from Valtuille and maybe 10% Villafranca del Bierzo and Cacavelos. Incredible value. 50,000 bottles produced. It was bottled in May 2020.
Luis Gutiérrez for Wine Advocate
