Raul Perez La Vizcaina 'El Rapolao' 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. Tim Atkin

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.

The 2023 vintage of Raúl Pérez La Vizcaína 'El Rapolao' Lomas de Valtuille is a vibrant and highly expressive Mencía-dominant blend that beautifully captures the essence of Bierzo's renowned, cooler-exposition, north-facing cru. Hailing from vines planted on red clay and alluvial stones—some dating back to the 1970s or even being a century old—this vintage is significant for achieving a stunning balance in a year that offered generous yields. The 2023 release is celebrated for its tense freshness, highlighted by bright notes of blood orange, pomegranate, and cherry, all beautifully accented by a refreshing hint of mint, violet, and rosehip. Fermented with 100% whole clusters using indigenous yeasts and aged for up to 11 months in barrel, the wine reveals an earthy, mineral-driven profile with a distinctly savory, fleshy character. On the palate, it delivers fine, well-knit, and slightly dusty tannins that add an engaging rusticity and a compact, energetic finish. Because of its elegant structure, vibrant acidity, and earthy depth, this captivating Spanish red demands deeply flavorful dishes; it pairs exceptionally well with roasted or grilled lamb, rich hearty stews, and a classic spread of charcuterie and tapas.