The 2020 As Covas Pinot Noir feels a little more primary and sharp than the 2019, with less weight and a little astringent. It goes in the same new direction as the 2019. I don't know if the cooler years are more challenging here, but the warmer 2019 feels more complete and deep. 1,000 bottles were filled from two 500-liter oak barrels. It was bottled in August 2021.

I think the best vintage of the Pinot Noir released to date has to be the 2019 As Covas Pinot Noir, produced with grapes from 11-year-old vines on granite soils. It fermented with 50% full clusters in open-top oak barrels, but it had a longer maceration than before, 10 to 15 days, and then matured in used barriques for one year. They also changed to new oak barrels but to a specific barrel and toast that really isn't noticeable. In 2021, they also did a cold soak. They are learning a lot about oak and reds... It's pale, floral and aromatic with herbal aromas and some New World character; it's more varietal and feels purer. The wine has a little more weight and volume, and in a warm year like 2019, it achieved only 12.5% alcohol. It's medium-bodied and has very fine tannins, and it's elegant and tasty. 500 bottles were filled in September 2020.

There is not a lot of Pinot Noir in the Rías Baixas zone. In fact, the only one I know is the 2018 As Covas Pinot Noir, produced with grapes from 10-year-old vines planted on granite soils. It fermented with 50% full clusters in open-top oak barrels and matured in used barriques for one year. This is the palest of all the reds, and it has an herbal and balsamic twist in the varietal and spicy nose. It is more like the other reds from the zone than Pinots from elsewhere. This is a collaboration with Raúl Pérez, who is the one in charge of enology here. The palate is medium-bodied and has fine tannins, perhaps a little thin in the mid-palate. Only 500 bottles were filled in March 2020. This is obviously sold without appellation of origin; Pinot Noir is not one of the grapes allowed by Rías Baixas. This wine will change in 2019, with a little more maceration and color.

The 2017 As Covas Pinot Noir was pale and quite ethereal, with notes of wild berries and herbs and a resinous touch. It's also quite balsamic. The palate has fine-grained tannins and good grip. This is not a wine for everyone, as it has a strong personality and some unusual aromas and flavors. 1,200 bottles produced.

I found the 2016 As Covas Pinot Noir more varietal than previous vintages. In this vintage, it has ripe berry aromas and an absence of herbal notes that come back in 2017. It is medium-bodied and has fine-grained tannins, which again follows the characteristics of the variety. 1,100 bottles produced.