Facenda Agrícola Augalevada Mercenario 2018
Fazenda Agrícola Augalevada is the winery that gives its name to the project by Iago Garrido and Liliana Lafuente. Located in Rioboó, in the historic center of Ribeiro, on the left bank of the Avia valley, leaving the Monastery of San Clodio behind and following a winding road up the mountain, you reach the hacienda, surrounded by vegetation and mountains where you cannot see it More civilization than a few animals that Iago himself cares for in his 4 Ha farm. A place that captivates you with its silence and beauty. A small stream descends between the vineyards, dividing the farm into two parts, which the oldest countrymen called “Augalevada”, a name they decided to borrow for their new winery on site. Iago and Lili met at the Faculty of Ourense where they were studying Agrarian Engineering with a specialty in Oenology. In 2009 they bought the 4 Ha farm where they planted 2.5 Ha. Of vineyard. with the various indigenous varieties of Ribeiro, always closely linked to the idea and knowledge of organic and biodynamic viticulture. In 2013 they built the winery and were certified by Demeter, being the first and only winery with official biodynamic certification in Galicia. The winery is designed by plants to work by gravity so that the care of the grapes and the must is as delicate as possible. The grapes ferment naturally in 500-liter amphorae. buried in the basement of the cellar.
Iago is a born nonconformist, idealistic and passionate about wines with a soul, he is not satisfied with making a good wine, he looks for extremes in winemaking and works tirelessly to achieve it. In addition, he is a smart guy and he knows that the sustainability of the organic project is unsustainable without a parallel project like that of his “Mercenaries”, the “negotiating” line that allows him to have a consistency in production every year. To do this, he buys grapes from various winegrowers, from different areas of Ribeiro, who work in organic with which he produces the White Mercenary and the Red Mercenary. He also collaborates with César Méndez (Terras de Lantaño), a winegrower in Rías Baixas, from whom he buys grapes since 2017 and from whom Mercenario Parcela Eiravedra 2017 and Mercenario Crianza Biolóxica albariño emerged.
The 2018 vintage was a complicated vintage throughout the northwest in general with abundant rainfall in spring, which caused the appearance of fungal attacks such as the Mildew and also the Black Rot in the Ribeiro. The cycle was typical of a wet year and the harvest was slightly delayed in mid-September, with exceptional quality.
Mercenario tinto 2018 is made with Caíño Longo, Caíño da terra, Brancellao, Espadeiro and Sousón from Ribeiras de Arnoia, Avia and Miño. The clusters are gently stepped on and fermented with indigenous yeasts in stainless steel tanks for 35 days. After uncorking, 2/3 go to 500 l barrels. and 600 l and 1/3 to a 400 l jar. where it has just fermented and aged for 7 months.
Mercenario Tinto 2018 is fresh and fluid red that reminds us of the Ganevat “negociant” reds. Crunchy red fruit, floral and spicy notes, herbaceous and mineral touches. The palate improves with air and has a light body, citric acidity, a pleasant mid palate and a long finish.
Production: 2,400 bottles. 11.5% Alc.
Raiting: 92 PARKER.
Optimal consumption: 2020-2023.
Pairing: sausages, grilled red meats, blue fish ...
