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Wine is as good as life to a man, if it be drunk moderately: what life is then to a man that is without wine? for it was made to make men glad.
—Ecclesiasticus, ch. 38, v. 1
(Our sample bottle was purchased by us at standard retail.)
Losada Vinos de Finca is only a little over a decade old, and is quite a modern facility, located in the Bierzo appellation of Spain. Bierzo's star has risen dramatically in recent years, though some feel that the wines that put it on the map were rather overdone: highly extracted and heavily oaked. This wine—made from rather old vines— is, like all of this winery's products, not overdone; also like all their reds, it experiences malolactic fermentation in French oak.
It is available at retail from $12 up to about $22 a bottle, with an average price of $15; it seems to be carried at quite a few retailers, including several of the rather large online ones.
The nose suggests a powerful red, and the taste follows through. This wine immediately struck us as strong, deep yet (owing to nicely integrated acidity) bright. It was rich in dark-red-fruit qualities, but nothing like a fruit bomb; rather, it had depth and some complexity.
As it evolved through the bottle, the brightness seemed to fade, leaving a dark and (as another reviewer put it) "brooding" wine. There were perceptible tannins, and to do this beauty justice, it probably won't be at its peak for some while yet; it needs, at the very least, a year or two more (two years old as tasted) to be ready for fair trial, and it might want significantly more yet.
This is a nice specimen of the delightful Mencia grape; recommended.
On CellarTracker.
On Wine Searcher's Tasting Notes page.
Of some major wine-review sites:
(re 2012 vintage), ? points:
The 2012 Pájaro Rojo is pure Mencia from purchased fruit from 40-year-old vines whose malolactic fermentation was carried out in used barrels. They are reproducing the local family wines of yesteryear, keeping some 10% of the grapes uncrushed. It shows some reductive notes when uncorked, and then slowly reveals some tobacco and licorice notes. The palate is full-bodied, with high extract. A powerful young wine.
(1 September 2014), 89 points:
Lurid ruby color. Spicy cherry and black raspberry aromas show good clarity and notes of cracked pepper and fresh rose. Tangy and focused on the palate, offering bitter cherry and spicecake flavors and a touch of succulent herbs. Closes tight and nervy, with subtle tannins and lingering spiciness.
(1 September 2013), 88 points:
Bright purple. Earthy cassis and licorice aromas are given an exotic touch by notes of pipe tobacco, smoked meat and musky underbrush. Ripe dark berry flavors are supple and broad, with a peppery element providing lift. Slow-building tannins give structure to the finish, which shows good clarity.
(1 September 2012), 88 points:
Vivid purple. Smoke- and spice-accented aromas of dark berries and cherry, with a peppery overtone. Juicy and precise, offering tangy blackberry and bitter cherry flavors and a touch of licorice. Finishes with good lift and cut, leaving a cherry pit note behind.
(December 2013), ? points:
This expressive red shows black cherry and herbal flavors, with a slightly gamy undertone. Not big in structure, but has drive, showing light tannins and lively acidity.
(2011), 87 points:
This lively red delivers alluring flavors of black raspberry, clove, licorice and vanilla, with light, firm tannins and crisp acidity. Fresh and racy, showing some depth.
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