Castro Ventosa Valtuille Vino de Villa Bierzo Mencia 2019

Widely considered to be one of the worlds most visionary winemakers, Raul Perez produced his first vintage for his familys winery in 1994 at the age of 22. He has received endless accolades and recognition from wine critics, publications and connoisseurs worldwide, but Raul’s genius is far exceeded by his humility, which many believe comes through in his wines. His wines are not winemaker wines so much as they are unadulterated expressions of the villages and vineyards from which they hail. A blend of 3 distinct parcels of old vine Mencia located in Bierzo, Vino de la Villa’ is one such expression. Each vineyard has a small percentage of other grapes that grow alongside and are co-fermented with the Mencia, contributing depth, complexity and intrigue. A full-bodied and serious wine, exuding an enticing bouquet of spice blackberries, raspberries, wild herbs and black licorice and supported by powerful but well-integrated tannins and wrapped up neatly with a pleasant, lengthy, crushed gravel-driven finish. Serve alongside pastrami sandwiches or grilled artichokes with Timut pepper aioli.