Spanish Bodega Profile – Dominio de Tares – DO Bierzo

D.O./Region: D.O. Bierzo
Address: Los Barredos 4, Polígono Industrial Bierzo Alto, San Román de Bembibre, 24318, Spain
Telephone: +34 987 51 45 50
Fax: +34 987 51 45 70
Email: info@dominiodetares.com
Webpage: http://www.dominiodetares.com
Founded: 2000
Hectares of Vines: 68 Hectares Owned: 20 cultivated by our Bodega and 48 rented out
Liters of Wine Produced: 450,000
Winemaker: Amancio Fernández
Grape Varieties Grown: Mencia and Godello
Wines Produced: Baltos, Cepas Viejas, Bembibre, Tares P3, Godello Fermentado en Barrica
Importers: USA – Classical Wines

Description of the Bodega by the Bodega:

Founded in 2000, the Bodega was created with the philosophy of elaborating wines from the native varietial, Mencía, using 40 to 100 year old vines which express the complete terroir of Bierzo. Our philosophy is very different than the Château concept where one only uses grapes located from the vineyards surrounding the Bodega, whereas we rescue and revive the old vineyards throughout the Bierzo to elaborate the single variety (Mencía). However, in order for us to elaborate a single varietal, we are required to meticulously study the grounds and microclimates of Bierzo. Fortunately, we formed an agreement with the University of Leon to offer us both the know-how to study the terroir, and the technology to ensure clean, safe and efficient winemaking facilities. From temperature and humidity controlled rooms to using the best French and Spanish oak barrels, our bodega is committed to creating the best representation we possibly can of our native grape, Mencía.

Catavino:
Dominio Dostares and Bodega Lusco do Miño are two projects of Dominio de Tares in Pajares de los Oteros, León. Over the course of the month of June, as we explored wines from Bierzo in our Virtual Tasting, we wrote extensively on these wines; however, we did not provide you with a complete bodega profile. Overall, I can tell you that we thoroughly enjoyed these wines, as you can tell from our tasting notes below, and would happily seek them out again. Obviously, Dominio de Tares makes wonderful wines and hope we will be able to visit their bodega this September.

Ryan’s Notes

• 2004 Dominio de Tares Bierzo Cepas Viejas – Spain, Castilla y León, Bierzo (6/11/2007)
  Less inky than it’s big brother Bembibre, this wine is a sexy little number that shows rich spice on the nose and pure cherry fruit. Oak is present but not the main focus in this wine. Time softens this wine just enough to make the sultry fruit flow over your tongue and it beigns then to reveal mineral like spices, with hints of clove, cinnamon and spice sparkling through the finish. Great acidity makes this wine a natural for a wide range of foods. Really a fun wine.
  

• 2004 Dominio de Tares Bierzo Bembibre – Spain, Castilla y León, Bierzo (6/11/2007)
  Very dark adn inky in color. The nose at first is very tight and concentrated with big notes of black pepper and rich earth. Slowly and after much time this begins to turn to dark berries, chocolate, clove, anise and more. In the mouth this is a big wine with hits of spice and tannin that seems to leave my tongue reeling. With time though this gives way to big fruit flavors and after much decanting the tannins reveal a nice acidity behind them with pure cherry and rapberry fruit. Chocolate, oak, and earthiness remain, and while this is a large mouthfull of wine it really develops with enough air into something more elegant that I would have supposed.
  

• 2005 Dominio de Tares Bierzo Baltos – Spain, Castilla y León, Bierzo (6/3/2007)
  Deep dark color with thick legs. The nose is smokey minerals and rich paste like black fruits. Raw meat and dark pepper ladden black cherry. In the mouth on first sip I see medium tannins and a high acidity that leaves the mouth with a dry finish and chalky texture. Rich and layered with dark cherry notes, black berry and charcoal notes. Really a wine that opens up with time. A bit thin at first it was strange to see this wine take on body with time out of the bottle. For the money a wine worth trying. Though it does have a big structure I would say this wine will not improve too much, but rather just needs some air to really develop.
  

Gabriella’s Notes

• 2005 Dominio de Tares Bierzo Baltos – Spain, Castilla y León, Bierzo (6/3/2007)
  Deep dark color with thick legs. The nose is smokey minerals and rich paste like black fruits. Raw meat and dark pepper ladden black cherry. In the mouth on first sip I see medium tannins and a high acidity that leaves the mouth with a dry finish and chalky texture. Rich and layered with dark cherry notes, black berry and charcoal notes. Really a wine that opens up with time. A bit thin at first it was strange to see this wine take on body with time out of the bottle. For the money a wine worth trying. Though it does have a big structure I would say this wine will not improve too much, but rather just needs some air to really develop.
  

Cheers,

Gabriella