Leione is an interesting wine made from the grape variety Prieto Picudo.  Prieto Picudo is a local variety found in the Leon province of Spain, the same region that is home to the more high profile Mencía grape.  Mencía has become quite trendy and just stepping out its shadow is this very good quality grape.  There are so many quite obscure grape varieties in Spain that are finally getting some attention.  The winery is Dominio de Tares, one of the pioneering wineries that brought Mencía and Bierzo to prominence.  They have started a second project, Dominio Dos Tares, making a range of wines exclusively from Prieto Picudo.  Right now these wines don’t enter into any wine appellation and so are labeled very broadly as Vino de la Tierra de Castilla Leon.  Previously Prieto Picudo was used for basic reds and rosés for local consumption, but with some care the grape can really shine.  It is generally very aromatic with intense red fruit, some floral and mineral notes.  The wine Leione has all of that as well as some really nice oak spice and some leather.  The 2005 is in perfect balance with smooth tannins and nice acidity.  It is a very pretty wine, but also has substance.  Prieto Picudo is definitely a grape to watch out for.  Domino Dos Tares also makes two more wines from 100% Prieto Picudo:  Cumal and Estay.  Read on for more details on Leione 2005.  

Wine:  Leione 2005
Winery:  Dominio Dos Tares
Denominación de Origen (DO): Vino de la Tierra de Castilla León
Alc: 13.5%
Grape varieties: 100% Prieto Picudo
Oak regime:  9 months aging in French, American and Hungarian oak
Price:  11-12€ retail in Madrid

Tasting notes
Visual:  Exuberant purple ruby…medium intensity
Nose:  Pretty yet intense nose…sweet red fruit, floral notes and a bit of leather and earthiness.          
Mouth:  Enters the mouth with a burst of sweet fruit which is followed mid palate by floral notes, a bit of vanilla, spice and fresh acidity…the mouth finishes very long, with sweet red fruit and smooth tannins.  With some air the fruit becomes even more intense.

Conclusion: I really loved this wine…I had tasted it only once before at a wine show….it really didn’t make a mark as my palate was so saturated.  It is a really attractive wine, in balance and easy to drink, yet also has some complexity.  The oak is really well integrated and plays a great supporting role to the great Prieto Picudo fruit.  Really an excellent wine for the price.