Losada La Bienquerida 2017
- Textured, savoury
- Bierzo
James Suckling thinks this is the best wine from Bierzo, in Spain’s north-west, and one of the best from Spain. Wow! Big call, but we have tasted this deep and layered wine and agree that it is exceptional. The wine is made from 95% Mencía and 5% indigenous local varieties; from a single vineyard call ‘La Bienquerida’, which is an ancient, 100+ year old plot.
Profile
Give the wine some air and enjoy tasting it evolve. It’s a fascinating variety, and this example has everything from tar and roses to potpourri and Indian spices happening. It’s got lovely medium weight and crunchy acidity, draped with dripping cherry juiciness, and a dark and slatey finish. Concentrated and serious, and very, very delicious.
Reviews
James Suckling
“This has a very sleek and pure set of aromas with plenty of fleshy and ripe fruit, delivered in a concise, lively and utterly delicious palate. There’s a fresh, juicy and spicy, sustained finish with a lick of pepper to close. Drink or hold.”
It’s cool, we get it, you want to know absolutely everything about this wine. Well here you go, go nuts.
Specs
- Region
- Bierzo
- Vintage
- 2017
- Cellaring
- 2030
- Preservatives
- Sulphites
- Alcohol by Vol.
- ―
- Closure
- Cork
- Bottle Vol
- 750mL
- Blend Info
- 95% Mencía 5% Other
- Serving Temp.
- 16.0°C
Tasting
From the producer
Bright violet colour. Intense dark berry and violet scents are complemented by smoky minerals, Indian spices and potpourri. Fresh and expansive on the palate, offering sappy blackberry and bitter cherry flavours that become sweeter with air. The mineral quality recurs on the finish, which is framed by slow-building tannins that mesh smoothly with the wine's intense dark fruit.
Winemaking
Viticulture
From an ancient and locally legendary single vineyard plot includes a tiny percentage of indigenous vitis vinifera varieties that predate the Mencía, incorporated into the blend for added complexity. Old vines, meticulously rehabilitated following long abandonment, produce an exceptional wine that represents the quintessence of Bierzo.
Crafting
15 months in French barrels - 40% new, 60% second use.