One of the more reliable, affordable and available reds from Ribeira Sacra, the 2020 Lalama has the wild, herbal and spicy character, the berry fruit and balsamic notes from the Mencía (which is 85% of the wine) and the tasty palate with some sweet fruit and spice flavors. It lingers in your mouth after you swallow.

The 2018 reds are one step above in finesse, elegance and freshness compared with the 2017s, and the 2018 Lalama is even paler and brighter than the 2017. Despite having similar alcohol (14%), the sensation here is more-contained ripeness and better balance. It feels a bit like an updated version of the 2016. 63,315 bottles and 540 magnums produced. It was bottled in November 2020.

A textbook red Ribeira Sacra, the 2017 Lalama shows very well for a challenging vintage like 2017. It's mostly Mencía with the balancing 10% made up of other—varieties, Brancellao, Mouratón, Sousón and Garnacha Tintorera—and comes through as ripe, juicy and fruit-driven, with notes of aromatic herbs. The palate is medium-bodied and reveals fine-grained tannins. There is a bitter touch in the finish here.

One of the benchmark reds from Ribeira Sacra is the 2016 Lalama, a blend of Mencía with 10% Brancellao, Mouratón, Sousón and Garnacha Tintorera that is very expressive and fresh in the cooler 2016 vintage. It shows the more floral and pretty face of Mencía (even if it has some 10% other varieties) produced in a very approachable and attractive way that is easy to understand by a wide audience. It has a nice combination of aromas, fruit, herbs, flowers and spices, with judicious oak that gives it a creamy touch. It's nicely textured and has a soft and balanced mouthfeel, fine tannins and balanced acidity. Delicious! 63,325 bottles and 540 magnums produced. It was bottled in May 2018.

The nose of the 2015 Lalama reveals a warm and dry year with good ripeness. Yields were also low because they lost some 62% of the grapes to hail, and the wine is concentrated and powerful, quite fruit-driven and expressive, juicy and chewy. It has some spicy and smoky undertones and a dry, long finish. This is a modern and luxurious style of Ribeira Sacra. 65,893 bottles and 596 magnums produced. It was bottled in October 2017.