Bodega Profile – Bodegas Peique SL – DO Bierzo

D.O./D.O.C/D.O.Ca:DO Bierzo
Address: Calle el Bierzo S/N, Valtuille de Abajo 24530 Spain
Telephone: +0034 987 562 044
Fax: +0034 987 562 044
Email: bodega@bodegaspeique.com
Webpage: www.bodegaspeique.com
Bodega Founded:1999
Hectares of Vines: 44
Grape Varieties Grown: Mencia
Production in Liters: 200,000
Enologist: Jorge Peique Valle
Wines Elaborated: Peique Tinto Mencia, Peique Vinedos Viejos, Peique Seleccion Familiar
Importers:
USA – Vinos and Gourmet Inc.
UK – Not Currently Exporting

History of the Bodega from the Bodega

Bodegas Peique was created by a handful of family members who were dedicated to cultivating and elaborating quality red wine. The family has been intimately familiar with winemaking for generations, having not only lived in region of the bodega their entire lives, but having also owned, cultivated and elaborated wines for centuries. The name of the Bodega is a reflection of both the family name and their character. Their wines carry the familiar mark, Peique, accompanied by the name “Spiritual”, each one baptized as if part of the family.

Catavino’s Experience:

Recently, we both sat down to another relaxing summer evening and opened a bottle of the 2006 Peique Tinto Mencia, an unexpectedly delicious bottle of wine. The first characteristic that caught my eye was its mysterious, dark, rich color. It reminded me of when I swam at sunset in a small lake in Cananda near the Minnesota border. As sun slowly descended into the horizon, it emanated dark pastel colors which spread evenly across the surface of the water, changing the lake into a rich black raspberry hue. It’s a stunning color, made more radiant when swirled in a nice burgundy glass.

The bouquet matched the color in its powerful and dark flavors of blackberry, blueberry, clove and mineral. Nice round aromas that unfortunately, did not match well with the palate. Both Ryan and I felt there was a slight dissonance between the complex and layered flavors and the perceived level of alcohol. Although not the ideal balance, the wine was superb for $12 a bottle, and we both look forward to trying some of their other wines.

For more information on Mencia, take a peek at our forum from our July Virtual Tasting on Bierzo.

Till Soon,
Gabriella

Gabriella’s Tasting Notes

• 2006 Bodegas Peique Bierzo Tinto Mencia – Spain, Castilla y León, Bierzo (7/19/2007)
  The color is darker than a black rose, more closely related to a celestial black hole. The aromas are intoxicating, complex and entertaining, because each time I inhale, I find myself discovering a new aroma such as slate, clove, black licorice, bitter chocolate, cured ham and cigar with a rich layered background of dark forest berries. The palate is equally as complex, the only difference being that the dark fruit is more pronounced. I like the wine, but felt the bouquet was much more balanced than the palate. 3.5/5

Ryan’s Tasting Notes

• 2006 Bodegas Peique Bierzo Tinto Mencia – Spain, Castilla y León, Bierzo (7/12/2007)
  This is one dark dense black as night wine. Wow, great color. The nose is so rich and layered, I wonder if I will get around to tasting it. Bacon fat, earth, minerals, chocolate, anise, light tar, cinnamon, clove and as it opens salami. Lush and rich wine in the mouth with high tannins, and medium acidity, the dark fruits that are in here somewhere are hidden for now by sweet tannin, chocolate, and when revealed show blueberries, black berries and more. The alcohol is a bit too noticeable for me, but other than that, a great wine. 3.5/5