Bierzo & 2006 Bodegas Adria “The Pilgrimage” Mencía Bierzo Spain

I have always been a huge fan of the red wines from Bierzo, and more especially of the Mencía grape that I personally discover while tasting my first wines from this area back in 2002, when I first arrived in New York. 8 years later, my passion continues and despite my uninterrupted experience with the wines from top producers like Descendientes de José Palacios, Dominio Tares, Pittacum, Paixar, Bodegas Estefania, Castro Ventoso, and Bodega del Abad, to name a few, I’m still discovering great new producers like Bodegas Adria.

Bierzo

Bierzo is a Spanish wine region located in the northwest of the province of León (part of the Castilla Y León district), touching the eastern border of Galicia, northwestern Spain just above Portugal. The area consists of numerous small valleys in the mountainous part (Bierzo Alto) and of a wide, flat plain (Bierzo Bajo).

Although Bierzo has existed for many centuries, it nearly disappeared with the Phylloxera plague, which devastated ¾ of most European vineyards between the early 1860s and the end of 1930s, and was only officially recognized as a “DO” (Denominación de Origin) in 1989. Since then, the region has experienced an incredible renaissance and benefited from a rapidly expanding reputation. Nowdays, the Bierzo DO covers 23 municipalities including the largest town of the area, Ponferrada, and imports a large quantity of its wines throughout the world.

Bierzo produces mostly red wines made from the Mencía grape variety, which is apparently indigenous to this area and was already used and grown in the Roman times. Producing soft, earthy, easy going, light to medium bodied, aromatic dry red wines with slight green edges and dry tannins, Mencía possesses some of the character and taste of Cabernet Franc, yet due to the climate, usually offers riper fruit and silkier, less green and more integrated tannins.

Bierzo is bordered to the west by the Valdeorras DO wine region, which as a counter part or more often considered as a sibling to Bierzo, produces mainly whites from Godello, Doña Blanca and Palomino, but also some reds, less well known in the US market, yet quite similar to those in Bierzo made with the same grape varieties: Mencía, Merenzao, Grao Negro and Garnacha.

Bodegas Adria “The Pilgrimage” Mencía Bierzo Spain

Bodegas Adria owns vineyards located between the villages of Corullón, Villafranca del Bierzo and Cacabelos, in the foothills of a small mountain range about 25 kilometers west from Ponferrada, planted in a mosaic of complex soils ranging from alluvial clay and stones on the valley floor to granite and schist higher up on the slope.

The wine is called “The Pilgrimage” because the vines in this region of Bierzo lie along the holy "Camino de Santiago de Compostela" (the path or “way of St. James of Compostela” in English or “Chemin de Saint Jacques de Compostelle” in French), a town located at the northwestern part of Spain, in Galicia, which has long been a pilgrimage center for many Christians and other pilgrims since the 9th century. The path of St. James, established over a thousand years ago, has been one of the most important European pilgrimages in Christianity for centuries, and Santiago's cathedral is one of the most visited Christianity emblems with the "Vatican" in Rome (Italy) and "Notre Dame de Lourdes" in the town of the same name (France). Native to this area, the Mencía grapes and the wine that they produce have been welcome nourishment to any passing traveler.

Made by winemaker, Norrel Robertson, "the Pilgrimage" red Bierzo was produced with 100% carefully hand harvested Mencía grapes from late September through the first week of October, from vines averaging up to 35 years old. The juice was carefully extracted and fermented in small stainless steel fermenters with some “saignée(s)” to concentrate the must (or “bleeding method”, a technique used to extract some liquid from the fermenting tanks, to maximize extraction of color and concentration of aromas and flavors in the fermenting must, and consequently in fact to obtain, aside from the main red wine, a barely tainted wine or a light rosé usually drunk locally, yet increasingly enjoying more sales overseas nowadays).

Controlled fermentation occurred at 28-30 Celcius degrees with

• “pumpover” (pumping wine from the bottom of the tank to pour it back over the must-cap on top in order to create a gentle “brassage” of the grape skins, lees, etc.. for better extraction and concentration of the different components)

• and “delestage” (a process usually occurring during the fermentation with skins and seeds, which consists of “racking” - or transferring - the wine from one tank to another tank then returning the wine to the original tank; these treatments to the fermenting mass take place to insure not only a complete fermentation and full extraction, but to achieve more rapidly a finished wine with good fruit, soft tannins and stable color. Part of the motivation to study and perform this particular process, “delestage”, is the advancement of the date of marketability of the red wines treated this way, while insuring its quality and early drinkability. In short, to achieve not only a wine ready for market early, but with high quality and aging potential.

Malolactic fermentation occurred naturally following the alcoholic fermentation. The wine was left on its lees for a certain period of time to accentuate its creaminess and softness, while adding softer texture.




2006 Bodegas Adria “The Pilgrimage” Mencía Bierzo Spain
Suggested retail price $15-$18
Imported/Distributed by ....

From the acclaimed 2006 vintage, which was great in this particular area, the Pilgrimage Red Bierzo, made with 100% old Mencía grapes, has a quite intense deep purple color with ruby reflects on the rim. The nose is fresh, aromatic with inviting aromas of ripe dark and red cherry, plum, chocolate, and spice, and earthy notes. The palate is dry, intense and juicy, yet medium bodied with soft, gentle red and ark fruits, present yet integrated tannins and an overall texture enhanced and balanced by a great acidity. The lingering finish is structured, soft and food friendly. Pair it with baby lamb and duck. Another interesting example of what the versatile Mencía grape has to offer.

Enjoy!

LeDom du Vin

For more info go to the winery website at www.bodegasadria.com

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LeDom's Selection of the Month: November 2008, Bodegas Estefania 2001 "Tilenus" Mencia Bierzo Spain

Despite the fact that this wine has been on the market for quite some times now, I thought that it will be a good idea to talk about it and put it back in your mind. 

2001 Bodegas Estefania "Tilenus" Pagos de Posada Mencia Bierzo Spain

Suggested retail price $42-46

Distributed / Imported by  Ibanez Pleven in NYC 

The winery Bodegas Estefania is located in Bierzo, between the village of Dehesas and Posada del Bierzo, roughly 6 km west of the main town Ponferrada. 

Situated west of Rias Biaxas, less than 100 km from the northeastern corner of Portugal (northwestern part of Spain), Bierzo is a wine region, part of the province of Leon (Castilla y Leon), which has been officially recognized as a DO (Denominacion de Origen) in 1989.

Nestled in the middle of a mountainous area, Bierzo benefits from a special climate and diverse micro-climates influenced by three important factors: the high altitude with steep slopes; the proximity with the humid, oceanic climate of Galicia and on the other side the proximity with hot, dry climate of Castilla. These factors complement each other and create an ideal climate with enough rain fall and hours of sunshine per year for growing healthy robust vines and achieve great ripeness.  

The mountain soils consist of a few feet of humid, dark earth on top of layers of quartz, schist and slates of the Licorella type (similar to the Priorat region). It is the perfect soil and climate to enable the indigenous red grape variety "Mencia" to flourish and ripen evenly on these high altitudes, somewhat cool climate, steep slopes planted vineyards. 

Mencia represents 70% of the red grape planted in Bierzo and taste a bit like a Cabernet Franc. It seems to have some of the same aromas and flavors characteristics. Some vineyards are between 50 to 100 years old. Nearly forgotten and practically instinct until the 70's, a few producers revived it and in the same time put Bierzo back on the map. 

Bierzo produces mainly red wines predominantly with the Mencia grape and a bit with Garnacha Tintorera too. It also produces some white made with the Galician grape Dona Blanca, Godello and Palomino, and sold more locally some rose.

Fairly unknown with only a few labels available in the US market, the red wines of Bierzo gained a bit more recognition over the last few years and Tilenus surely helped to convince consumers of the high quality of this appellation. Bierzo wine prices range from low $10 up to $60+, the former tend to be light, smooth, well rounded and the later are complex, rich, earthy, with a good tannic structure and balance which confer them ageing potential. 

Bodegas Estefania produces some of the most sought-after wines in the area, mainly as a result of their spectacular vine holdings that have been in the family for many years. these holdings include 36 hectares of vineyards, the majority of which are over 70 years old, and are planted on pure schist. Despite the richness and the complexity brought by the age of their Mencia vines, they still have to lower the yield and need to harvest at full ripeness to avoid the green notes, hints of bitterness and high acidity (which are some of the particularities of the grape).   

2001 Bodegas Estefania "Tilenus" Pagos de Posada Mencia Bierzo is a medium bodied yet rich and well rounded wine with good acidity and ripe raspberry notes, great for Fall season. It was produced with grapes from 80-100 years old vines. The fermentation occurred partly in stainless steel tanks and partly in oak barrels. It was then aged for 18 months in 70% new French oak barrels, and 30% older barrels. 

On the nose, fragrant aromas of raspberry, cherry fruit and red currant intermingled with hints of black pepper, spice and floral notes. The palate, somewhat rustic and earthy yet enjoyable and balanced, exposes great minerality as well as soft tannins and touches of bitter chocolate and mocha. It combines the structure of a Cabernet Franc, the soft, bright texture of a Pinot Noir and some of the spicy character of a Syrah.  

It will be ideal with a rack of lamb cooked with herbs and garlic and served with wild mushrooms and green beans. 

Enjoy!

LeDom (du Vin) 

Info partly taken from  www.europeancellars.com , www.ipowine.com and www.bodegasestefania.com (see also www.tilenus.com)