Raúl Pérez

Floral and fruit-driven on the nose, showing raspberries and blackberries with a delicate lift. The medium- to full-bodied palate has fine-grained, supple tannins and tender red fruit. Sourced 80% from Valtuille, with parcels from El Val and Airola. 100% whole-cluster fermentation.

(2023) Raúl Pérez's has restored his old vineyards in Bierzo, Galicia, which is an area bubbling under with many people having discovered the quality of the wines made from the Mencia variety. The wine was fermented in oak vats that are ex-Vega Sicilia. Bold crimson in colour, there's a high-toned, medicinal edge to the aroma over solid red fruit. Is this a touch of Brett perhaps? In the mouth ripe but not too gloss, a nice authentic touch of rusticity to fruit and tannins. The finish is a little dry, which again makes me suspect a touch of Brettanomyces here that, for me, just detracts.