Bodega Destinos Cruzados 'Detras de la Casa Larga' Condado de Tea Red Blend, Rias Baixas, Spain

There’s something undeniably special about the red wines of Rías Baixas, rare, historic, and utterly distinct from the Albariño-dominated whites the region is known for. Detrás de la Casa Larga is a stunning expression of Condado do Tea, a subzone that has quietly maintained a rich tradition of elegant, age-worthy reds. Crafted by the duo behind Bodega Destinos Cruzados, this small-production blend of Brancellao and Caiño Longo is a love letter to Galicia’s winemaking past, brought into the present with organic farming, wild fermentation, and patient aging in old French barrels. Deeply aromatic and beautifully structured, this is a wine that rewards curiosity, and a long, slow evening.

Product Details:

• Grapes: 75% Brancellao, 25% Caiño Longo
• Altitude: 250m
• Soil: Sandy granite
• Farming: Organic (no herbicides or pesticides)
• Winemaking: Hand-harvested, spontaneous fermentation with native yeasts in open concrete tanks, 60% destemmed, 40% whole-cluster, foot-trodden, 4-day maceration
• Aging: 80% aged for 12 months in used French oak (500L, 400L, and 225L), 20% aged in stainless steel
• Annual Production: 1,535 bottles

Sensory Description:

Delicate yet deeply expressive, this wine is bursting with wild red berries, black tea, and savory herbs. The nose is perfumed with violets and wet stone, leading into a palate that weaves together tart cherry, pomegranate, and a whisper of smoky minerality. There’s a lift of bright acidity and fine, silken tannins, making each sip feel fresh yet grounded. Jessica calls it “a wine that hums rather than shouts, light on its feet, but with an undeniable presence.”

Winemaker’s Background:

Destinos Cruzados is the story of two friends, Óscar Cidanes, a sommelier and restaurateur, and Marcial Dorado, a winemaker with deep roots in both Galicia and Portugal. Their paths first crossed in 2003, but it wasn’t until 2015 that they embarked on this shared project, drawn together by a desire to revive the nearly forgotten red wines of Condado do Tea. After years of renting vineyards, their patience was rewarded in 2021 with the purchase of a historic estate in Crecente, where they continue to craft wines that honor the region’s tradition while embracing its future.

Serving Suggestions:

This wine shines with a slight chill, aim for around 55°F to highlight its lively fruit and floral notes. Pair it with Galician-style octopus, grilled lamb, or earthy mushroom dishes for a perfect match. With its bright acidity and fine tannins, it also sings alongside cured meats and aged cheeses. But honestly? It’s just as lovely on its own, sipped slowly while watching the sun dip behind the mountains.