Location: San Román de Bembibre, Bierzo, Spain
Website address: http://www.dominiodetares.com
This region is quite unique tucked between the southern fringes of the Cantabrian Mountains and the Aquiliano hills. The Rio Sil valley is open with gentle
hilly countryside, surrounded by high mountains the ideal contemplative picnic spot for weary pilgrims on their way to Santiago. Old bush vines MencÃa proliferate
on gentle slopes around Cacabelos.It is a dynamic region which has benefited from much investment in wineries and new vineyards of which DomÃnio de Tares is the
example. In our research, we were struck with the expressive and graceful style of their wines.
The winery was set up by inspired local entrepreneurs whose dynamic team manage around 100ha of old and new vineyards. The emphasis is on reds from MencÃa using
different terroirs and vineyard age to create different styles. Baltos comes from the younger vineyards near Cacabelos shouts rich berry fruit characters, good tannin to fruit
balance with freshness, and subtle new oak. Cepas Viejas is the old vines selection and provides firmer structure and core intensity without sacrificing elegance. Bembibre
comes from 3 ancient plots, has fantastic presence with concentrated damsony fruit and black fruits with great length.
For older vintage information please contact us or consult the producer’s website
Baltos
Current Vintage: 2009 - Bags of energy and warm spicy black fruits, layered well with oak and brisk tannin structure. Needs aerating for 15mins reveal true expression. 6
months in third fill barrels. 100% Mencia, 40-60 year old vines.
Baltos 2008 got 90 points from Parker.
"This sophisticated red is packed with delicious upfront blackcurrant and damson fruit flavours, well structured with balanced tannins. You can keep this wine for 3 to 4
years, but I prefer to enjoy all this lovely fruit now!"
- Neil Philips, Oxford Times, April 2012
Link: PDF
Cepas Viejas
Current Vintage: 2008Â
Discrete expression of spicy black fruits and herbal hints, the oak is well integrated and there is a lovely freshness to the palate despite the good structure and body. 60-80
year old Mencia vines.
The Cepas Viejas 2007 got 92 points from Parker. The 2008 has got 91-92 from Spanienwein.
Link: PDF
Bembibre
Current Vintage: 2005 / 2006
Bembibre 2006 has 93 points from Wine Enthusiast, 92 points from Parker and 92 points from Wine Spectator.
Link: PDF
