Vinateros Santos "Vila de Piedra" Tinto 2019

Vinateros Santos "Vila de Piedra" Tinto 2019Direct Press Selection February 2022 [PRESS 4 MIX] Mayu Miller of Via Franca created the Viateros Santos label to make wines that focus on out of the way vineyards near Zamora and the Toro region. Much of the wines are sourced from fruit that had been previously sold off to negociants or cooperatives. For the Vila de Piedra, Mayu enlisted Alvar de Dios, who got his start with the Commando G team, to make a field blend from a black slate soil vineyard

and intended to be consumed within the year of their production

producing wines that really turned by head and blew my hair back (yes

creating a cooler climate than expected for this area of California

She liked the area so much

working to build a cellar with 22 chestnut foeders with 15

Pierre-O Bonhomme and René Mosse

and pomegranate

Not often am I be convinced of that California Mourvèdre can rival Bandol

sweeter apples to balance the intensity of the others

Laura's reds are always delightfully rustic and alive and Azos da Vila delivers on that promise -  it is buoyant

There’s a peppery lift and solid grip that makes it the most full-bodied red of this month’s lineup

But it doesn’t sacrifice anything over the previous vintage