For those who have already committed to Raul Perez, you get first dibs on these... the 98 pts Ultreia Valtuille, his highest-rated red ever... and the 94 pt Vitoriana.

"Uh, Todd, the subject line said there is a 97 pointer too..."

Yep... that's the 2018 Vitoriana. 97 pts... and will be under $40... talk about a steal! First dibs will go to those who bought the 2017... I stepped up big and have pressed the importer for equal supply of the 2018... 

“2018 is going to be seen as the best vintage in the last decade” Raúl Pérez

“The first impression [of 2018 in Bierzo] was very good, perhaps an upgraded version of 2016, with more clout, more complete, combining power and concentration with elegance and freshness. At some addresses, it might very well be the finest vintage to date” Luis Gutiérrez (Wine Advocate)

Whole cluster maceration is used before, during and post fermentation for up to 90 days, bringing added depth and concentration to the wine. This is a long time folks! But Raul finds that the initially harsh tannins turn silky with more exposure – a revolutionary approach! 

Raul Perez Ultreia Valtuille 2018 - Sale $67.99 - Mix Six or more with the Rapolao for $59.99 each - 98 pts Wine Advocate - "The 2018 Ultreia Valtuille feels very young. Pérez explained that they used more new oak here because he thinks this is the most serious vintage of this wine ever and also his favorite. This is from a plot in Villegas on 100% sandy soils, and it's the twin plot to the Cepas Centenarias from Castro Ventosa, his family winery. As this was the first single-vineyard they produced, they called it simply Valtuille; but with the new classification, this should be called Villegas. This is serious and designed for the long run, subtle and elegant, with the profile of a grand cru, some baby fat and a touch of oak but with juicy tannins, gobsmacking balance and great length. Drink the 2018 La Vizcaína La Vitoriana while you wait for this. 2018 was a low-yielding year in this plot, and they got some 3,000 bottles from almost two hectares that have been organically farmed for some six years now." WA

(17 bottles) Raul Perez Ultreia El Rapolao 2018– Sale $67.99 - Mix Six or more with the Valtuille for $59.99 each - 96+ pts Wine Advocate–   The combination of clay soil and northern exposure make for a cooler climate and a more piercing style. Raul says El Rapolao is “the one that talks back the most, but you have a soft spot for.” As Raul has said, this is the most reserved right now, but might have the most potential. "Vinified with a short maceration, it fermented in chestnut barrel, where the wine's allowed to deliver a veil of flor yeast, and it matured in two used 500-liter barrels and a 225-liter barrique. The plot that produces this Rapolao delivers a more fragile wine. This has 12.6% alcohol and is the longer and more austere of the Rapolao bottlings. It is cleaner and longer, young and juicy. This was the origin of the first Rapolao that they bottled separately in 2011 in the La Vizcaína range. There is magic here.” WA

Raul Perez La Vizcaina La Vitoriana 2017 – Sale $34.99 – 94 pts Wine Advocate (97 pts WA for 2018)  - – Raul says this is his most consistent vineyard – and the only one that he owns in its entirety. He dubs it “the half pipe” – as in snowboarding – due to the vineyard’s unique shape and both northern and southern exposures. This double exposure results in a unique yin and yang to the wine – ripe fruit along with bright acidity. This is accentuated by a mixture of sandy and clay soils. Day in, day out, this baby is exactly what you want it to be! “The 2017 La Vizcaína La Vitoriana has depth and power, inherent to the vineyard, a cool site that behaves well in a warm year like 2017, but in 2017 I still prefer El Rapolao. The fruit is a little darker and riper without excess (it's all relative when you compare, and sometimes comparisons are tedious...), as the cooler exposition takes the warmer weather better. It's textured and serious. “ WA on 2017 “Zesty black raspberry and cherry aromas are complicated by suggestions of black pepper, incense and Asian spices. Taut and juicy on entry, then deeper and fleshier in the midpalate, offering concentrated, spice-tinged red and blue fruit flavors and a hint of candied flowers. Shows impressive energy on the penetrating, blue-fruit-dominated finish, which features harmonious tannins and resonating spiciness.” VM on 2014 "

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