Fruit for this wine is sourced from a single steeply-sloped, south-facing vineyard in Villafranca de Bierzo. The vineyard is between 700-800 meters in elevation and is planted to 60 year old vine Mencia. The soils are comprised of Bierzo’s two main soil types, decomposed slate and limestone based clay. Following fermentation with native yeasts in temperature controlled stainless steel tanks, the wine was aged for 10 months in 75% French and 25% American oak barrels. Bottled unfiltered.
A winner and a fine value from Bierzo. Luna Beberide is a model producer, and this single-vineyard wine has a pretty nose of berry, mineral, bacon and herbs. The palate is exceedingly smooth and lush, while the ripe boysenberry and blackberry flavors are classy and finish well. What Mencía from Bierzo
is all about. Issue 2304, April 2010
The Wine Advocate
90
The 2007 Finca La Cuesta was sourced from a single, steeply sloped vineyard planted to 60-year-old Mencia vines. The wine was fermented with native yeasts and aged for 10 months in French and American oak before bottling without filtration. Glass-coating opaque purple in color, it reveals a complex aromatic array of mineral, scorched earth, spice box, pomegranate, and black cherry. This leads to a smooth-textured, suave wine with tons of fruit, excellent density, and enough structure to evolve for 2-3 years. Drink this nicely rendered wine through 2017. Issue 181, February '09
Spain's Top 100 Wine Values
Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar
90
Ruby-red. Inviting aromas of wild berries, brown spices and flowers. Sharply focused flavors of cherry and blackberry offer a lively combination of sweetness and spiciness. The floral note repeats on the long, invitingly juicy finish. Issue 145, July/Aug '09
Wine Review Online
91
The Mencia grape can produce terrific wines in Bierzo, and Luna Beberide, a leading producer in the region, has scored a major success with this new bottling. Medium-bodied, it shows a wonderful balance between delicacy and depth of flavor, with lovely notes of dark cherries that are bolstered by wonderfully ripe, fine-grained tannins. Very classy stuff. Issue September 15, '09
Wine Spectator
91
Balanced and harmonious, this elegant red shows black cherry, mineral, licorice and mountain herb flavors, supported by ripe tannins and fresh acidity. Drink now through 2013. Wine Spectator Insider, January 6, 2010
Issue 3415, March 31, 2010
The Washington Post
NA
From 60-year-old vines on steep hillsides comes this beautiful, smoky, earthy wine that conjures a sense of place with every sip. Great Value A challenge to the reign in Spain
by Dave McIntyre
November 11, '09
