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PRODUCT DESCRIPTION
Peza do Rei takes its name directly from the Kings of León, who once used this genuinely storied, medieval walled vineyard and woodlands estate as both an income source and a private hunting retreat. The Enríquez family, led by César Enríquez, is among the founding core of growers behind the entire D.O. Ribeira Sacra appellation — starting in the early 1990s, the family replanted their site with noble grape varieties, laying real groundwork for the region's modern revival. The estate itself is genuinely dramatic terrain: just 4.85 hectares (12 acres) of vertiginous, single-row slate terraces, forming a perfect south-facing amphitheater above a tributary of the Sil River known as the Edo, with vines exposed south and southwest, planted on granite soils layered with sand and silt.
The 2021 vintage is a genuine field blend, dominated by 94% Mencía with small proportions of Tempranillo, Merenzao, Caíño, Sousón, and Grenache rounding things out, sourced from vines over 25 years old. Grapes are hand-harvested, destemmed, and fermented in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks between 22 and 28°C, undergoing spontaneous malolactic fermentation before racking into fresh tank and resting. The wine undergoes quality control testing by the Ribeira Sacra Regulatory Council before bottling, with two months of further bottle aging under winemaker César Cachín's direction.
Ken's Wine Guide awarded 90 Points, describing "a slightly cloudy and dark ruby colored" wine opening with "a blackberry and wet stone bouquet with hints of pomegranate," the palate "medium bodied with medium plus acidity," the mouthfeel "balanced, very smooth, and zesty," the flavor profile "an oak influenced blackberry and light anise blend with notes of stony minerality and pomegranate," alongside "some hints of black pepper and loam," the finish "dry" with "moderate tannins" that are "nicely extended." Peza do Rei's own winemaker notes describe "clear, brilliant cherry in the glass," with "vivid Mencía aromas of red fruits," the palate "soft, fruity and balanced with a full finish," recommending it paired with "charcuterie, semi-mature cheeses, white meats and bluefish." This is genuinely characterful, terroir-driven Galician red — real history behind a wine grown on some of the steepest, most dramatic vineyard terraces in Spain.
Peza do Rei 2021 Mencía Ribeira Sacra is produced by the Enríquez family, founding growers of the D.O. Ribeira Sacra appellation, based on a medieval walled vineyard and woodlands estate named for the Kings of León, who once used the property as a private hunting retreat. Winemaker César Cachín crafts the wine under founder César Enríquez.
The estate spans 4.85 hectares of vertiginous, single-row slate terraces above the Edo, a tributary of the Sil River, exposed south and southwest, on granite soils with sand and silt, with vines over 25 years old. The 2021 vintage is a blend of 94% Mencía, 2% Tempranillo, 1% Merenzao, 1% Caíño, 1% Sousón, and 1% Grenache. Grapes are hand-harvested, destemmed, and fermented in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks (22-28°C), with spontaneous malolactic fermentation. The wine ages two months in bottle before release. Bottled at 13% ABV.
Ken's Wine Guide — 90 Points (August 2024):
"This slightly cloudy and dark ruby colored Mencia based wine opens with a blackberry and wet stone bouquet with hints of pomegranate. On the palate, this wine is medium bodied with medium plus acidity. The mouthfeel is balanced, very smooth, and zesty. The flavor profile is an oak influenced blackberry and light anise blend with notes of stony minerality and pomegranate. I also detected some hints of black pepper and loam. The finish is dry, and its flavors and moderate tannins are nicely extended."
Peza do Rei (official winemaker's note):
"Clear, brilliant cherry in the glass. Vivid Mencía aromas of red fruits. The palate is soft, fruity and balanced with a full finish."
Nose
Dark ruby, slightly cloudy. Blackberry and wet stone lead, joined by pomegranate, alongside vivid red fruit character.
Palate
Medium-bodied, with medium-plus acidity, balanced, smooth, and zesty, delivering oak-influenced blackberry and light anise, alongside stony minerality, black pepper, and loam.
Finish
Dry, with moderate, nicely extended tannin — genuinely food-friendly and structured.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Appellation | D.O. Ribeira Sacra, Galicia, Spain |
| Variety | 94% Mencía · 2% Tempranillo · 1% Merenzao · 1% Caíño · 1% Sousón · 1% Grenache |
| Vintage | 2021 |
| Producer | Peza do Rei (Enríquez family) |
| Winemaker | César Cachín |
| Vineyard | 4.85 hectares, single-row slate terraces above the Edo River |
| Vine Age | 25+ years |
| Soils | Granite, sand, silt |
| ABV | 13% |
| Critics | Ken's Wine Guide 90 Points |
| Style / Identity | A characterful, terroir-driven Mencía field blend — real history from one of Ribeira Sacra's founding growers |
| Aromas & Flavors | Blackberry, wet stone, pomegranate, black pepper, loam |
| Bottle Size | 750ml |
Bottle Size: All bottles are 750ML/700ML unless otherwise noted.
21 and Over: Adult Signature Required
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