Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2017 Falcoeira A Capilla was produced with the grapes from the field blend of Mencía, Brancellao, Sousón, Garnacha Tintorera and other grapes that they replanted in a vineyard located in a historic place in the zone, on steep terraces with granite soils at 400 to 600 meters in altitude. This fermented in 3,000-kilo oak vats with indigenous yeasts and matured in a 2,000-liter oak foudre. This has a warmer exposure, and 2017 was a dry and warm year. Despite all that, the wine is subtle and harmonious, quite contained, not exactly closed but with more serious nuances. It has finesse and elegance. This was harvested the last week of August, extremely early, and I think that was the right decision for this wine. It follows the path of the 2016. It seems like the vineyard has settled down and is delivering more character. I think this was the most surprising of the reds from 2017.
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Vinous
Glistening ruby. Presents an array of mineral-accented red and blue fruit, floral and baking spice qualities on the fragrant nose; a hint of licorice emerges as the wine opens up. Juicy and precise in the mouth, showing excellent clarity and spicy lift to the cherry, boysenberry, bitter chocolate and floral pastille flavors. Turns sweeter on the gently tannic finish, which hangs on with impressive tenacity.
With hundreds of red grape varieties to choose from, winemakers have the freedom to create a virtually endless assortment of blended red wines. In many European regions, strict laws are in place determining the set of varieties that may be used, but in the New World, experimentation is permitted and encouraged resulting in a wide variety of red wine styles. Blending can be utilized to enhance balance or create complexity, lending different layers of flavors and aromas. For example, a red wine blend variety that creates a fruity and full-bodied wine would do well combined with one that is naturally high in acidity and tannins. Sometimes small amounts of a particular variety are added to boost color or aromatics. Blending can take place before or after fermentation, with the latter, more popular option giving more control to the winemaker over the final qualities of the wine.
How to Serve Red Wine
A common piece of advice is to serve red wine at “room temperature,” but this suggestion is imprecise. After all, room temperature in January is likely to be quite different than in August, even considering the possible effect of central heating and air conditioning systems. The proper temperature to aim for is 55° F to 60° F for lighter-bodied reds and 60° F to 65° F for fuller-bodied wines.
How Long Does Red Wine Last?
Once opened and re-corked, a bottle stored in a cool, dark environment (like your fridge) will stay fresh and nicely drinkable for a day or two. There are products available that can extend that period by a couple of days. As for unopened bottles, optimal storage means keeping them on their sides in a moderately humid environment at about 57° F. Red wines stored in this manner will stay good – and possibly improve – for anywhere from one year to multiple decades. Assessing how long to hold on to a bottle is a complicated science. If you are planning long-term storage of your reds, seek the advice of a wine professional.
Just to the south of Bierzo, the steeply terraced Valdeorras Spanish wine region is a respected source of both red and white wines. Garnacha Tintorera (Alicante Bouschet) and Mencía are the principal red varieties while Godello and Palomino compose the majority of this region's whites.