James Suckling (95/100)
Floral with a minty side, showing raspberries, blackberries and blueberries. The medium-to full-bodied palate is fleshy, incisive and full of character. Firm and attractive, this has very well-knit tannins with a savory quality. From an old, north-facing, head-trained vineyard. Fermented with whole clusters.
R. Parker (94/100)
The 2023 La Vizcaína El Rapolao has some citrus freshness (blood orange) that balances the natural rusticity the place gives to the wine. It has abundant, slightly dusty tannins that come from a year with good yields. This is mostly Mencía (with some field blend), and 80% of the grapes come from a vineyard planted in 1974 to 1976, one of the youngest plots in the lieu-dit. Fermentation was with indigenous yeasts and without temperature control. They produced 4,500 bottles in 2023.