2019 Viña Mein O Gran Meín Lustro Blanco

O Gran Meín Lustro 2019 is a unique expression of Ribeiro and at the same time a statement about the aging potential of the best white wines from Galicia. This wine was not released immediately after bottling, but received an additional five years of bottle aging before release. The result is a complex and layered wine that combines the historic style of Ribeiro with the precision of modern winemaking.

A vineyard with a history dating back to the 12th century

The foundation of O Gran Meín Lustro lies in the historic Meín vineyard, a plot whose viticultural history dates back to the 12th century. Together with several surrounding plots around the village of Meín, this vineyard forms the heart of the wine. The terraces are situated in the Avia Valley and are characterized by soils of weathered granite, locally known as sábrego . These poor soils result in low yields and give the wine its characteristic tension and minerality.

The 2019 vintage experienced a classic Galician growing season with sufficient rainfall in the spring and a warm, dry summer. The harvest took place between September 9 and October 3. Because the different grape varieties do not ripen simultaneously, the same vineyards were harvested multiple times so that each grape could be picked at the optimal moment.

Traditional Ribeiro blend of seven grape varieties

While many white wines from Spain are based on a single grape variety, O Gran Meín Lustro is a tribute to the traditional blends of Ribeiro. The wine consists of Treixadura, Albariño, Torrontés, Godello, Loureira, Caíño Blanco, and Lado. Treixadura forms the backbone of the blend, while the other varieties provide extra aromatic complexity, freshness, and structure.

Each grape variety and each plot was fermented and aged separately. Various materials such as stainless steel, concrete, earthenware, and oak were used for this purpose. This approach makes it possible to preserve the character of each grape and each plot individually before the final blend is created.

Five years of bottle aging for extra depth

After twelve months of sur lie aging, the wine was bottled in the autumn of 2020. Instead of being sold immediately, part of the production remained in the cellar for another five years. This is exceptional for a white Ribeiro and underscores the winery's confidence in the aging potential of these vineyards.

In the glass, O Gran Meín Lustro 2019 offers much more than just fruit. Aromas of citrus, ripe white peach, fennel, dried flowers, and subtle spices are supported by pronounced minerality and a refined texture. The extra bottle aging has given the wine more depth and complexity without compromising the fresh core that is so characteristic of the best wines from Galicia.

With O Gran Meín Lustro 2019, Viña Meín harks back to a time when the great white wines of Ribeiro were known for their ability to age for years. This wine shows that that tradition is still very much alive today.