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: 2005

Alcohol Content / Volume: 13.5% / 750ml

Ratings: (2018) 98 pts. Robert Parker

Decanting Time: Decant for at least 1 hour. Serve at 16 - 18°C

Our suggestion for decanting time is based on bottles we tried at Txanton in 2023. We guarantee that Txanton stocks are imported and maintained in proper storage within the correct temperature and humidity suitable for wine.

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 heart of the winemaker's personal collection lies within the Bierzo wines, which bear the emblem of Ultreia. These wines, largely composed of Mencia grapes, serve as the foundation of his portfolio. The term "Ultreia" derives from medieval Latin and signifies "onwards!". It serves as a tribute to the brave pilgrims making their way through the region towards Santiago de Compostela.

Drawing inspiration from Burgundy, the Ultreia wines adhere to a classification system. The first-tier release, known as Ultreia Saint Jacques, undergoes aging in a combination of oak and cement tanks. As for the higher-priced and limited edition cuvées, they hail from distinct single vineyards.

Among these, Ultreia de Valtuille stands out as the most renowned. This outstanding wine originates from century-old vines nestled in a plot to the western side of Perez's hometown, Valtuille de Abajo. The careful maturation process involves aging the wine in French oak barriques for approximately 15 months. Additionally, a remarkable white wine crafted from Godello grapes is included within this series.