Bierzo Tinto, 'Las Gundiñas'

Score

92

Score

94+

Score

95+

Score

94

"The La Vizcaína wines from Raúl Pérez and César Márquez are all single vineyard wines from the far western end of Bierzo, close to the boundary with Ribeira Sacra. Las Gundiñas is all very old vines, having been planted all the way back in 1910 and is a classic field blend, comprised primarily of Mencía. The wine includes one hundred percent whole clusters, is raised in old Burgundy casks for one year and bottled unfined and unfiltered. The 2021 Las Gundiñas is a gorgeous young wine on both the nose and palate, with the bouquet wafting from the glass in a beautiful blend of cassis, dark berries, espresso, complex soil tones, cigar smoke, discreet stem tones and a touch of tree bark in the upper register. On the palate the wine is pure, full-bodied, focused and very promising, with a lovely core of black fruit, superb soil signature, ripe, buried tannins and a long, complex and beautifully balanced finish. This is an outstanding bottle in the making. 2032-2075."

Score

94

Score

94

"Sleek and silky, with a dark mix of black currant, blackberry paste and damson plum fruit wrapping around dense, fine-grained tannins. This is underscored by minerally tar and iron accents, while lovely aromas of mountain herbs, anise, paprika and graphite offer a fragrant overtone that lingers on the fresh, sculpted finish. Best from 2026 through 2036."

Score

93

"Delightfully light in body and colour, this is a very Atlantic style red from Ra£l P,rez who makes this wine from a cooler site. It offers medicinal aromas (in a positive sense!) and bitter herbal freshness (think Jgermeister) that lifts its core. Tannins are charmingly rustic with a little grip but they frame some lovely ripe red berry fruit. An immediately approachable wine † attention should be paid to the serving temperature as this would be delicious slightly chilled. 2024-28"

Score

93

"The 2022 Gundiñas Lomas de Valtuille, based on Mencía with Trousseau, is fermented with whole clusters and soaked for 50 days, then aged in 10-year-old barrels. Aromas recall dried leaves, herbs and red fruits. Ripe, with a slight grip from stems, it highlights pomegranate and dark fruit flavors. It is technical, taut and expressive, with slight malic acidity. The 2022 was shaped by extended maceration and neutral oak."

Score

95

"The 2022 La Vizca¡na Las Gundi¤as is the palest and freshest of the 2022 reds from the La Vizca¡na range, and it is the one with less alcohol (around 12.7%). It comes from the coolest plot, the best place for warm years, with more clay and deeper soils and more retention of water. To me, this outperforms the 2021. The wines always ferment, year after year, in the same vats and barrels. It fermented with 100% full clusters. There are some 8,000 bottles."