2023 Las Lamas

The 2023 Las Lamas was crafted from Mencía in Corullón, Bierzo. It begins with pomegranate, violet and rose aromas, accompanied by a touch of cherry. Subtle oak contributes nuances on both the nose and palate. This is medium-bodied in feel, with a talc-like texture and fine tannins that build structure. Its appeal lies in the layered intensity of aromas and flavors, with a slate-driven feel that is less typical of Bierzo but core to Corullón’s identity.

The bottled 2023 Las Lamas is also stunning. But it's a vineyard that shines more in warm years, when it surpasses Moncerbal (like in 2022); in a cooler year, it suffers a bit more, while Moncerbal thrives. It comes from the 1.6 hectares they have in a single vineyard (they bought a last plot in 2017). It fermented with some full clusters in oak vats and matured in foudre and large barrels for 10.6 months. It comes in at 13% alcohol and with a pH of 3.61. It has the austerity of the 2023s, which is remarkable for a warmish year, and the balance that Las Lamas can have in dry years. But 2023 was not as extreme as 2022 was, and the competition from the 2023 Moncerbal was tough. It's more austere than the 2022 Las Lamas, consistent with the rest of the 2023s. 5,980 bottles produced. It was bottled in March 2025.

The Las Lamas vineyard sits on a steep slope below the winery and has a greater amount of clay in the slate soil. I usually prefer Las Lamas to Moncerbal, but in this more difficult vintage, Moncerbal shows more charm. Tasted en primeur, it's powerful, with punchy freshness and a savoury, almost saline note, with fine textured tannins. It needs time, for sure.