2020 Antoine Graillot & Raúl Pérez Bierzo Tinto 'Encinas'

An unspecified Mencia-based blend, all organically farmed. This project is a collaboration between northern Rhône legend Antoine Graillot and the mad genius of Bierzo, Raúl Pérez. Antoine’s contribution was fermentation in cement vat, a practice that fell out of favor in Bierzo a generation ago but is still used by the Graillot family in Crozes-Hermitage. In addition to providing local knowledge and access for the grape purchases, Raúl also encouraged Antoine to leave the wine on the skins for an extended period of time after the whole cluster fermentation was complete, when it went from cement to a large foudre for another ten months of aging. 13.5% alcohol. You could be thinking this was a  northern Rhône Syrah! 

92 points, Wine Advocate. "Intense and savory on the nose, with leather, Earl Grey tea leaf and forest floor notes, this shows similar concentration to the well-spiced flavors of roasted black plum and black raspberry, yet set in a lithe, light- to medium-bodied frame. Offers plushly textured tannins, which emerge to firm the finish. Drink now through 2028."