La Vizcaína by Raul Perez, "La Poulosa" Tinto, Bierzo, Spain, 2019

Overview of the Wine
La Vizcaina is a relatively new project from Raul Purez that explores the hillside crus around his hometown of Vatuille de Abajo. Four reds and one white are produced under the name, all from vines with over fifty years of average age. Though all the red wines Raul produces in the Bierzo D.O. are labelled as 100% Mencía, they all in fact contain significant quantities of other local grapes.

The rich varietal diversity found in Galicia is due in large part to the famous Camino de Santiago, a pilgrimage to the tomb of Saint James in the town of Santiago de Compostela, the earliest references to which date back to the 9th century. The monks who made the journey would often carry vine cuttings from their home regions in their packs to offer as gifts to the Spanish monasteries that would put them up along the way. This is certainly the explanation for the preponderance of Trousseau found throughout northwestern Spain.

Organic. 

Grape / Blend
40% Mencía, 30% Bastardo, 30% Garnacha Tintorera

Origin
Castilla León, Bierzo, Spain

Winemaker's Tasting Notes
La Vizcaina La Poulosa, elaborated by Cesar Marquez and Raul Perez, shows a great variety of fruity notes in nose, with special incidence of red fruits such as strawberries, raspberries and cherries. In mouth it gives a great balance between tannins and acidity. It is deep, pleasant and intense.

93 Points - Vinous
Glistening ruby-red. Ripe, spice-tinged blackberry, cherry cola, licorice and pungent floral qualities on the fragrant nose. Intense red and dark berry liqueur flavors are energized by building spice and smoky mineral flourishes. Concentrated as well as lively and focused, finishing with strong, youthfully tannic persistence and suggestions of candied violet and exotic spices.

Product size: 750ml