La Vizcaína by Raul Perez, "La Vitoriana" 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
Mencía and other varietals

Origin
Castilla y León, Bierzo, Spain

Winemaker's Tasting Notes
La Vizcaina La Vitoriana offers aromas of reinette apple, ripe blackberries, light touches of pilonga chestnut, and a background of autumn earth, with points of black licorice and a balsamic finish. On the palate it is a very penetrating wine, structured, with subtle nuances of wood and a sweet and appetising finish. It is a wine with a long finish.

94 Points - Vinous
Full ruby. Spice- and smoke-accented cherry and dark berry scents show very good energy and focus. Blackberry, bitter cherry and candied licorice on the palate, along with suggestions of dark chocolate and succulent herbs. Opens up slowly with air and finishes very long and spicy, with smooth, even tannins and lingering florality. Drinking window: 2025 - 2034.

Product size: 750ml