Castro Ventosa - Valtuille 2019
Price: $24.99
Sale Price: $19.99
6+ Price: $17.99 / btl
| Producer | Castro Ventosa |
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| Country | Spain |
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| Region | Bierzo |
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| Varietal | Mencia |
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| Vintage | 2019 |
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| Sku | 17755 |
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| Size | 750ml |
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Quick version up front for Raul Perez fans… this is his family’s estate. This is most similar to the Ultreia St. Jacques – the difference being a little less oak. It’s juicy and round and delicious! Another great value from Raul!!!
Valtuille... as in the Raul Perez Ultreia de Valtuille... his family’s ancestral home. With this wine, Raul accesses the oldest vines in his family’s holdings – over 100 years of age! The sandy soil that blocks the phylloxera louse results in Raul’s most elegant and aromatic offering. The winery suggests pairing with Osso Bucco... who am I to argue?
Before he was awarded multiple Winemaker of the Year awards, Raul Perez was a young winemaker working for his family’s winery, Castro Ventosa. Founded in 1752, the winery is the largest owner of vineyards in Bierzo, a small region tucked in the mountains of northwestern Spain. Like many young winemakers, Raul wanted to innovate, update and explore “purer” expressions of the grapes and vineyards. But after 10 years tilting at the windmills of family tradition, Raul embarked on his own.
His meteoric rise over the past 20 years to the uppermost echelon of winemakers has seen Raul travel far and wide, producing wines from all over Spain. Yet his heart, and his home, have always been in the village of Valtuille de Abajo. While not heavily publicized, at some point in the last decade, Raul took over his family’s winery and implemented the practices and techniques that have made him a superstar. (Smart move, Family Perez!) Under Raul’s tutelage, his nephew, César Márquez, has taken over most of the winemaking duties. But if there is any doubt as to who is in charge, just look for Raul’s name on the front label!
Wine Advocate: 92 Points
"The white label 2019 Castro Ventosa Valtuille (do not confuse it with the pink label that is sold in the local market, León and Bierzo) is a young blend of six or seven different zones from the village. It fermented with 10% to 15% in stainless steel and oak foudre and matured in well-seasoned barrels (mostly 225-liter but with some larger ones) for one year. It's floral, perfumed and very clean; they have renewed all of the barrels (which are at least fourth use), and the wine feels more precise and clean. 6,000 bottles produced."
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