2016 - La Vitoriana Lomas de Valtuille, Raul Perez (Vizcaina), Bierzo

The vines at La Vitoriana are from a north-facing part of the vineyard and are extremely old, and the grapes show their best between 13% and 13.5% alcohol. The maceration of the 2016 La Vizcaína La Vitoriana is the longest of all wines from La Vizcaína wines, and it always has very strong balsamic notes. It's subtle and elegant with a velvety texture, with lots of energy and inner strength. Pérez selects about half of the vineyard, and he feels 2016 is the year that best represents the character of the place. I'd add it's probably the best vintage so far. 3,000 bottles produced.

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.

Three-ha plot with nine different owners – clay and very porous in the middle. Annual production of 3,000–4,000 bottles. Pure nose – like decongestant? Very pure, fresh and gorgeous. Long. (JR)