La Vitoriana, La Vizcaina de Vinos, Bierzo, 2019
La Vitoriana is a wonderful vineyard located at 600m elevation 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. Aromatically open and suave, the 2017 leaps from the glass with soft strawberry, cherry and cassis notes. Silky, plummy flavours, soft velvety tannins and chocolatey notes emerge and produce and beautifully measured Bierzo with no hard edges and just a very fine acid thread. Immediately approachable. Fermented in large wooden vats on the skins for up to 90 days before maturation in neutral 500L casks and 225L barrique.
critic reviews
The 2019 La Vizcaina La Vitoriana comes from sandy soils and mostly north-facing vines, delivering elegant and floral wines. It's very young and fruit-driven, perhaps not as complex as the 2020. All of these reds are around 13.5% alcohol, medium-bodied and quite harmonious. 2019 was one of the larger crops, and there are 7,000 bottles of this.
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.