Ultreia Valtuille Mencia 2021,5674 (Raul Perez)

Drink now or cellar for up to 20 years. No need to decant before drinking. Raul Perez Pereira has earned an almost cult following in recent years earning awards and accolades dubbing him one of the world’s best winemakers. His philosophy in winemaking is to honor the grape and the terroir and capture the authenticity of those things in the wine. Having been making wine since 1994 where he started at his family’s winery, he branched off in 2005 to start his own label and has been pivotal in putting Bierzo as an appellation in the spotlight. His family winery is the largest owner of Mencia, a grape that Raul has coaxed out of the shadows and continues to receive more acknowledgement. His focus on capturing place gives his wines an excellent terroir-driven quality that teleports consumers to his small Bierzo home Valtuille de Abajo. The grapes for the Valtuille are selected from the highest-altitude rows in the parcel. These specifically selected clusters are fermented in upright open-top vats and further spend one year in neutral barrels. The nose opens up with a floral bouquet that segways to red fruits, graphite, and savory earthiness. Grown on sandy soils, the wine showcases terroir with soft tannins and a rustic, mineral-driven palate with leather, licorice and dark plum. This wine is balanced and fresh and pairs well with beef stews, herbal-driven dishes, pastas, roasted vegetables and charcuterie.