2003 Dominio de Tares Exaltos

As a continued part of the Catavino June virtual tasting, I opened a bottle of 2003 Dominio de Tares Exaltos ($28). This wine is from the Bierzo D.O. of Spain and is made of 100% Mencia. The Mencia vines are over 60 years old. Plus, the wine's alcohol level is only 13.5 making it milder than many of the wines out there now.

This is a lush and delicious wine. It begins with strong, dark berry fruit flavors and ends with a smoky lingering finish. It is a full-bodied wine that fills your mouth. There are some tannins on the finish but they are relatively mild and smooth right out with some steak tips. Overall, the wine is very smooth and luscious. I drank some of this wine first without any food and enjoyed it.

This is definitely one of my favorite Bierzo wines and it is a definite Drink and Buy recommendation.