Raul Perez La Vizcaina La Vitoriana Bierzo 2023
Raul Perez La Vizcaina La Vitoriana Bierzo
Region: Bierzo, Castilla y León, Spain
Vintage: 2023
Bottle size: 75cl
Grape: Mencia, Bastardo
ABV: 13.5%
A wine of great elegance and intensity with aromas of black cherries married with hints of violet and subtle spicy notes. Structured and poised on the palate with velvety tannins and a lifted acidity that drives the flavours onto the long finish.
The north-facing ‘La Vitoriana’ is considered one of the greatest vineyard plots in Valtuille de Abajo. It is the only wine in the ‘La Vizcaína’ range not made from estate fruit, Raúl buys the fruit from a trusted grower. The ungrafted Mencía and Bastardo bush vines, which date back to the 1880s, are planted on clay and sandy soils. The cooler site climate means that this is often one of the last plots to be harvested. The vineyard is farmed following organic and sustainable practices and all of the grapes are hand harvested.
Upon arrival at the winery, fermentation takes place in used oak vats with indigenous yeasts and 100% whole-bunch. Only very gentle extraction techniques are used, with no punch-downs or pump-overs. Following fermentation and a 40-day maceration on the skins, the wine is racked off and aged in used, 500-litre, French oak foudres for 11 months before bottlin
Raúl Pérez has played a pivotal role in Spain’s vinous revolution. Widely considered to be one of the world’s most fascinating, talented and restless winemakers, he has inspired a new generation of winemakers in Bierzo and beyond. While Raúl is involved in many projects across Spain and abroad, his home remains Valtuille de Abajo, the Bierzo village where he was born and raised. His family have a long-standing tradition of grape growing in the region, dating back to the 1750s. After studying oenology, Raúl spent several years working at his family winery, Castro Ventosa, before striking out on his own in 2005. He has worked tirelessly to preserve Bierzo’s viticultural heritage, developing an unparalleled understanding of the region, its vineyards and indigenous varieties.