Raul Perez La Vizcaina Las Gundinas Bierzo 2023

Raul Perez La Vizcaina Las Gundinas Bierzo 

Region: Bierzo, Castilla y León, Spain

Vintage: 2023

Bottle size: 75cl

Grape: Bastardo, Doña Blanca, Garnacha Tintorera, Mencia

ABV: 13.5%

An elegant and supple wine, with lifted aromas of wildflowers and herbs underpinned by bright berry notes. Poised on the palate with silky tannins and a bright acidity that carries the aromatic flavours onto the lengthy finish.

‘Las Gundiñas’ is a prime 2.2-hectare plot in Valtuille de Abajo planted on clay soils at 510 metres above sea level. A field blend of Mencía, Bastardo (Trousseau), Garnacha Tintorera and around 5% Doña Blanca, the old bush vines are over 100 years old and produce exceptionally low yields. 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 bottling.

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.