The ancient and somewhat remote El Bierzo wine region is located in the northwest of the province of León, where small, isolated villages are nestled together and surrounded by mountains. The region sits smack on the path of El Camino de Santiago (St. James’s Way), the most famous of Christian pilgrimages and backpackers dot the landscape as they pass through the picturesque hills. The Atlantic climate provides the necessary dynamics to grow amazing fruit, and the Mencia grape makes up 2/3rds of the vineyards here where winemaking was considered an everyday practice that dated back to the Romans. Until recent times, wine here was made by small farmers crafting wines for family consumption.
Just a short time ago however, a new generation of Bierzo oenologists decided to recover the Mencía grape - present in the region since the middle ages - in order to make quality single-varietal wines. One of them was Amancio Fernández, a local from the León wine region. Losada Vinos de Finca which beckoned to Fernández was established in 2004 as an ultra-modern facility located in the heart of Bierzo’s old Mencía vines.
The old vine grapes sources for El Pajaro Rojo are harvested by hand, then carefully sorted, destemmed, and lightly pressed into stainless steel vats. The 30-40 year-old grapes ferment slowly using natural yeasts and gentle, occasional pump overs. The wine then undergoes spontaneous malolactic fermentation and is aged in stainless steel for four month on the fine lees. The finished wine strives to be medium-bodied, subtle and balanced.
TASTING NOTES
Aromas true to the grape: cherry, crushed rocks, plum, light iron notes and black raspberry tea. On the palate this is medium body with great concentration with flavors of rose petals, minerality, black cherry, currant, red licorice and fresh cracked pink peppercorns. The acidity is lifting and the finish is long.
FOOD PAIRING
This medium-bodied floral red wine would pair nicely with dishes that work with pinot noir or Gamay. Try it with a mushroom risotto, a grilled, garlicky Portobello sliced thin, or black-pepper crusted salmon or rich duck. For casual fare, a BBQ seitan sandwich or charcuterie plate with cheddar or Manchego would work perfectly.
Charcuterie, Cheese, Chicken/Turkey, Duck, Fish-full flavored (salmon/tuna), Grilled preparations, Ham, Pork, Roasted Root Vegetables