2002 "Valtuille", Bierzo D.O. Bodegas Castro Ventosa . Here is one of the upper price-point wines from the producer of El Castro del Valtuille , and it comes from 100 year old vines. "Cepas Centenarias."

In the nose, at first, it's very oaky and only after some time in the glass can I coax out iodine and graphite. In fact it was almost like a medoc in the nose. Cigar box and flint. In the mouth this wine is more reticent and shows less juicy fruit than the "El Castro" (vintage difference, or 100 year old vines?) and instead shows more woody and mineral character. Lip smacking acidity and soft tannins with a moderatetly long finish. Why so much oak though? I would have preferred less oak and more of the intrinsic grape qualities. More research is necessary because these wines continue to intrigue me for their minerality, acidity and brambly fruit. 33 euro locally and I'm sure much more in the US, which lowers its attractiveness a bit.