Raul Perez 'La Vitoriana' Lomas de Valtuille 2023

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Winery: Bodegas Raúl Perez

Country / Region: SPAIN / Castilla y Leon – Bierzo

Date Winery was established: 1752

Grape Variety: Mencia

Year the vintage was first released: 2011

Alcohol Content / Volume: 13.5% / 750ml

Ratings: 95 pts. Robert Parker

Good to Know: Raúl Perez, a prominent winemaker hailing from Spain, holds various positions in the industry. Apart from operating his own renowned label, he also serves as a consultant to other companies. Widely recognized for his expertise in the Bierzo region and his mastery of the Mencia grape variety, Raúl Perez undertakes projects throughout Spain.

Under his own name, Raúl produces over 20 distinct wines, albeit in limited quantities. Some of these wines have also been released under the banner of the Compañía de Vinos del Atlántico partnership. Moreover, Raúl collaborates with the Graillot family of Crozes-Hermitage to create the Encinas Bierzo Mencia.

Furthermore, Raúl's family has been the owner of Castro Ventosa in Bierzo since its establishment in 1752. Raúl has actively contributed to winemaking at Castro Ventosa since his teenage years. In partnership with his wife, Noelia de Paz, they produce La Tentacion, an exceptional Spanish Pinot Noir originating from a minuscule vineyard in Bierzo. The wine undergoes fermentation in whole clusters using open top fermenters and is aged for 12 months in oak barrels.

Raúl Pérez 'La Vitoriana' Lomas de Valtuille is a refined red from Spain’s Bierzo region, crafted from old vines planted in the 1890s. Primarily Mencía with small amounts of Bastardo, Doña Blanca, and Palomino, it reflects the diverse soils and exposures of the historic Lomas de Valtuille vineyard. Fermented with whole clusters and aged in neutral French oak, this wine reveals layers of red and dark fruit, floral notes, and earthy spice. Balanced, expressive, and age-worthy, La Vitoriana showcases Raúl Pérez’s masterful, terroir-driven approach to winemaking.

The 2023 vintage of Raúl Pérez La Vizcaína 'La Vitoriana' Lomas de Valtuille is a profoundly expressive Mencía-dominant blend that beautifully showcases what is widely considered the finest cru in Valtuille de Abajo. Sourced from a centenary vineyard planted around 1890 on a unique mix of sand and red clay, this specific vintage is significant for achieving complete, thorough ripening while maintaining striking linearity and vibrant acidity. Fermented with 100% whole clusters and aged for up to 11 months in barrel, the 2023 release offers a captivating, youthful aromatic lift. In the glass, it reveals an intricate bouquet of fresh blackberries, crisp apples, and delicate floral notes accented by mint, white pepper, and dried blossoms. On the palate, it is medium to full-bodied, compact, and highly structured, driven by fine, moderately firm tannins that lead into a tight, lingering finish layered with dense dark fruit. Because of its elegant tension and formidable depth, this magnificent Bierzo red demands richly flavored, savory dishes; it pairs exceptionally well with spicy roasted lamb, hearty beef stews, grilled duck breast, and mature cheeses.