La Vizcaína by Raul Perez, "El Rapolao" 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
34% Mencía, 33% Bastardo, 33% Garnacha Tintorera

Origin
Castilla y León, Bierzo, Spain

Winemaker's Tasting Notes
La Vizcaina El Rapolao shows red fruit aromas on the nose. It is very spicy, mineral and expressive. Its width in the mouth, with a slight warmth and firm tannins, make it a serious and strong wine, showing a pleasant taste of seasoned fruit.

94 Points - Vinous
Deep garnet. Deep-pitched cherry and cassis aromas are complemented by suggestions of smoky minerals, baking spices and lavender, along with a licorice note that builds with air. Youthfully chewy and alluringly sweet, offering concentrated, spice-laced black raspberry, bitter cherry, boysenberry and succulent herb flavors sharpened by a jolt of juicy acidity. Finishes sweet, smoky and extremely long, showing solid grip and mounting tannins that add framework to the intense dark fruit. Drinking window: 2024 - 2031.

Product size: 750ml