La Vizcaína Raúl Pérez La Vizcaína La Vitoriana 2023 750ml

The 2023 La Vitoriana Lomas de Valtuille is a Mencia from the eponymous paraje in Valtuille, sourced from a centenary vineyard. It fermented with 100% whole clusters and aged for up to 11 months in barrel. This is expressive on the nose, with flowers, mint, white pepper and dried blossoms providing aromatic lift. The tannins are fine, the palate is flavorful and the whole-cluster fermentation gives it a compact, tight finish.

Peppery, with blackberries. The medium- to full-bodied palate is framed by moderately firm tannins. Youthful and attractive, with a dense thread of dark fruit. Very compact. Sourced from a centenary vineyard planted on a mix of sand and red clay. Whole-cluster fermentation. Drink or hold.

The 2023 La Vizcaína La Vitoriana is the only red from the Vizcaína range that is not from their own vines, as they buy the grapes, 1.1 hectares in the lower part of the lieu-dit that has sandy soils (the other parts have clay). It's quite linear and with good acidity but ripened thoroughly. There are no white grapes here, only a small percentage of Bastardo, and the vines are 100+ years of age. This is a small lieu-dit in a cooler place in the village, a place that is harvested later. Some 5,000 bottles produced.