The 2010 Abadia de Gomariz Tinto is a blend of the local reds Souson, Brancellao, Ferrol (also called Ferron) and Mencia, but I find it too extracted and marked by the oak, very ripe, showing black rather than red fruit. The palate is somehow astringent, with a slightly drying finish. The potential and the quality of the fruit are there, but I think the wood works with these Atlantic reds and these tannic varieties should be gentler. Drink 2015-2018.
Coto de Gomariz is one of the leading wineries in Ribeiro. They are located in the small village of Gomariz, on the right bank of the Avia River, in the Leiro zone, one of the best quarters of the appellation. It all started in 1978 when Ricardo Carreiro, a local who had made his fortune in America, started replanting his first vineyard in the village. Since 2001 there has been a big generational change with a young team inclined to follow biodynamic practices, the theories of Japanese Masanobu Fukuoka and the cycles of the moon for work in the vineyards and the winery. They now own 28 hectares of vineyards, 24 of which are in Gomariz itself, and the rest in neighboring villages. The soils are mostly granite with some schist and a little clay. Eight of these hectares are planted with red grapes. The wines are made by Xose Lois Sebio, who is very active defending wines produced from slope vineyards and has some small parallel projects of his own. The total output is 140,000 bottles per year, with some very small cuvees. They have a wide range of wines, and a new label The Flower and the Bee, with a modern, informal image directed at younger consumers.
Importers: P.R. Grisley Co., West Salt Lake City, UT; tel. (801)706-2737; www.prgrisley.com; Terraneo Merchants, Lincolnwood, IL; tel. (312) 753-9134