Bodegas Pazos del Rey is located in the region of Monterrei, an up and coming D.O. just north of the Portuguese border in Galicia. However, it has more in common with Spain's central plateau then with the rest of Galicia - it's warm and dry, with very little rainfall. Mencia takes on a more robust and darker form here in comparison to its other traditional homes Bierzo and Ribeira Sacra. The 2009 Sila is one of the best that I've tried from the region. Delicious dark fruit, hints of cracked pepper spices, great acid, and a unique savory element.