A Mencía dominant field-blend with some Bastardo (Trousseau) and Palomino • Sourced from various steep parcels on slate and schist at 900 meters and above • Spontaneous whole-cluster fermentation in open-top oak vat • Long post-fermentation maceration • Aged for one year in neutral French 2500L foudre, 500L barrel, and 225L barrique
Info
Producer:
Vintage:
2021
Country:
Spain
Region:
Castilla Y Leon
Appellation:
Bierzo
Variety:
Mencia-based blend
Color:
Red
Sizes Available
| Full Bottle | ES-VIA-20-21 | 4/750ml |
Resources
Press & Reviews
Wine Advocate
Score
96
Date
2023-08-10
"The village red 2021 Viariz, named after the village, comes from high-altitude and low-yielding vines from different vineyards, including some in La Muria, which is also bottled on its own, plus La Tora, Las Pozas and some other plots, all on slate soils. The grapes struggle to ripen here‡the wine is labeled at 12% alcohol. They started here in 2019, but the vintage that they feel comfortable with is 2021. The soils are very compact, and it's a lot of work with the horses, but the results are spectacular. It was picked in early October, and the full clusters fermented in oak vats with indigenous yeasts. It's elegant and floral, clean and very showy. The wine has great elegance, balance and purity. This is a new face of Bierzo previously unknown to me. Great finesse! Some 6,000 bottles were produced. It was bottled in early 2023. Price is still tentative."
REVIEWS FROM PAST VINTAGES
2023
James Suckling
Score
96
Date
2025-11-13
"This has a very dark fruit profile with nervy aromas of violets and crunchy blue fruit. It,s very chiseled, with soft, approachable, velvety tannins. The palate is medium-bodied. This comes from vineyards at around 900 meters in Bierzo, and includes palomino and bastardo. A joy to drink right now."
2023
Vinous
Score
96
Date
2025-09-01
"The 2023 Vi¤edos de Viariz is a Menc¡a from old, high-elevation vineyards in Corull¢n. It shows a soft, resinous, herbal profile with a hint of dark fruit and a juicy touch. This is tight and grippy, with gum-coating tannins and a stem-driven nuance on the finish. It represents Ra£l P,rez,s lean style while highlighting the nuances of Bierzo,s high-elevation sites. The 2023 is singular, flavorful and slightly untamed."
2023
Wine Advocate
Score
96
Date
2025-07-10
"The 2023 Viariz should not be forgotten, but it suffers when tasted next to the 2023 La Muria. This comes from the same vineyard but in the lower and medium part of the slope. The wine shows 12% on the label and is floral and elegant, with contained ripeness and a lot of freshness. There is not the same level of detail or elegance as in the La Muria, and the big difference is in the quality of the tannins. Here, the wine calls for food. There are only 1,200 bottles of this."