Named for a legendary Galician castle in the Chantada region within Ribeira Sacra, a site of Galician resistance to both the Romans and the Vikings, the winery is a collaboration between two famous Galician winemakers, Raul Perez, whose handiwork we enjoyed in last quarter’s selection (Tilenus) , and Rodrigo Méndez. This blend of grapes common to the region comes from a single vineyard (called boca do demo) and as blends have been the traditional form here, a reference to a Galician cultural touchstone in the name for the winery seems appropriate. Also appropriate, befitting a collaboration of two famous winemakers, the winegrowing region is on the neutral ground of Ribeira Sacra instead of the Bierzo of Raul and the Rías Baixas of Rodrigo. The appendage of “Summum” on the Ribeira Sacra designation means that the wine is at least 85% recommended varietals and at least 60% Mencia. The primitive winery lacks the electricity for modern wine making machinery, so the wines are made in an old-school way, with organically grown grapes macerated on their skins for 30 days after completing their 100% whole cluster fermentation on native yeasts before aging in large oak casks. The flavors of this blend have more dark fruits, meatiness and spice than purely varietal Mencia. The more powerful tannins of this blend will reward an hour or so of decanting and serving with strongly flavored beef or lamb dishes.