This is a predominantly Tone & Backbone wine, but it shares structural nuances of Smooth & Silky as described in the tasting note below.
Tasting Notes
Medium-plus in structure, this Tone & Backbone and Smooth & Silky wine features flavors of bramble and black olives, with more subtle notes of red berries, violet, and forest floor. The wine finishes with black pepper and a smokey minerality.
Body is the impression of a wines weight, density, or its ‘mouth-feel’. Some wines feel weighty, or full bodied, while others feel light bodied. Wine runs the gamut from light to full, with most falling somewhere in between.
TANNIN
Low
Subtle
Balanced
Pronounced
High
Tannin can range greatly in wine, but it is necessary to some degree, and a necessary constituent for red wines to age well. In high amounts, it can cause a drying affect, which is sensed mostly on the gums and tongue. Tannin is a natural preservative extracted from grape skins, otherwise known as polyphenols that are micronutrients and antioxidants with potential health benefits.
ACIDITY
Soft
Subtle
Balanced
Pronounced
High
Acidity is a foundational component in wine. In fact, low acidity, or ‘flabby’ wine (as the term suggests) is a negative. You can sense acidity mainly on the sides of your tongue. Acidity generally ranges from balanced to high. Crisp acidity adds freshness, making your mouth water. Acidity is a necessary element and helps to balance other components.
SWEETNESS
Dry
Off Dry
Medium Dry
Medium Sweet
Very Sweet
Most wines are characterized as dry to off-dry, but there are some grape varietals, like Riesling, that run the gamut from dry to sweet. The tip of the tongue mainly detects sweetness, which is why it is often the primary characteristic detected. Sweetness is derived from residual sugar that did not ferment into alcohol.
ALCOHOL
13.5%
Alcohol is the by-product of fermentation. Differing grape varieties have differing potential alcohol levels, but regardless warmer areas result in riper grapes resulting in higher alcohol. Alcohol level is an objective number, but its affect on its palate impression is largely determined with how well integrated and balanced it is with other components.
An alluring blend of fruit and savoriness from Bierzo's wine maverick.
GRAPE VARIETAL(S)
Mencía
MEN-see-ya
Mencia is seeing something of a renaissance in Spain, specifically in the Bierzo, Ribeira Sacra, Monterrei and Valdeorras. Stylistically, it can vary from what was traditionally an aromatic and fruity red wine, and attractive rosé wines, to more intense, concentrated examples from low yielding vines, especially in Bierzo.
Trousseau
Troo-SOW
Trousseau was somewhat underappreciated grape from Jura in northeastern France, but has enjoyed some recent recognition for its potential in California and Oregon. It is remarkably versatile. It can make everything from Rose or sweet fortified wines like Port and Madeira in Portugal where it is called Bastardo. It recent surge in popularity is in making wines that show restraint, but full of flavor like dark berries, violets and spice.
Alicante Bouschet
Ah-Lee-KAN-Tay BOO-Shet
Alicante Bouschet, also known as Garnacha Tintorera, is a unique red grape variety notable for its deeply colored flesh and juice, resulting in intensely dark and robust wines. Popular in Spain and Portugal, it is prized for its rich berry flavors, firm tannins, and full-bodied character, often used to add depth and color to blends.
Raúl Pérez is a visionary winemaker, a free spirit, and a standard bearer for Spanish wines. He made his first wines at the age of 22 at his family estate, and in 2005 he started his own winery Bodegas y Viñedos Raúl Pérez.
Raúl Pérez
Raúl Pérez's vineyards
Raúl practices traditional winemaking and organic farming, trying to impart as little influence as possible in the vineyard. In fact, his greatest talent is his understanding of how the soil, individual climate, and grape variety coexist to shepherd the wine to its true potential.
The wines of Raúl Pérez are incredibly balanced, refined wines that show depth of flavor and energy upon release with the potential to age gracefully.
Bramble
Black Olives
Smoke
Organic
