La Vizcaína by Raul Perez, "Las Gundiñas" 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, 20% Bastardo, 20% Doña Blanca, 20% Garnacha Tintorera

Origin
Castilla y León, Bierzo, Spain

Winemaker's Tasting Notes
La Vizcaina Las Gundinas shows very fresh aromas of black fruit with certain notes of graphite and a background of thyme. In mouth it is fleshy, ample, with a tannin of grape very marked and certain earthy aftertaste.

92 Points - Vinous
Dark violet. A highly perfumed bouquet evokes ripe red and blue fruits, candied flowers, licorice and baking spices. Gently sweet and chewy on the palate, offering intense black currant, cherry and spicecake flavors braced by an undercurrent of juicy acidity. Shows firming grip and smoky mineral lift on a persistent finish that features building tannins and a touch of gaminess. Drinking window: 2022 - 2029.

Product size: 750ml