La Vitoriana, La Vizcaina de Vinos, Bierzo, 2016
La Vitoriana is a wonderful vineyard located at 600m altitude facing north in Valtuille. Remarkably, the vines date back to 1881 and are still planted on original Pie Franco rootstocks thanks to the higher proportion of sand in the upper section of the vineyard. Clear, sweet red and black fruit cloaks the palate with white, rocky spices and dustings of coffee bean, black plum and bitter chocolate. A fresh vineyard combined with magical, old vine material produces a brilliantly complete Bierzo. Fermented in large wooden vats on the skins for up to 90 days before maturation in 500L casks and 225L barrique.
critic reviews
Limpid ruby-red. Energetic and focused on the nose, displaying fresh cherry, black raspberry and floral oil scents and a hint of exotic spices. Juicy red and dark berry and savory herb flavors show fine delineation, and a hint of candied flowers emerges on the back half. Fine-grained tannins build slowly on the impressively long, appealingly sweet finish, which leaves a suggestion of cola behind.