Raul Pérez - Bierzo DO - La Vitoriana - Red - 2023

Wine:

The 2023 Bierzo Vizcaína La Vitoriana Red is a wine of striking finesse, aged in large old wooden vats that let the wine breathe without overwhelming it. Grown on cool, north-facing slopes, it delivers brilliant freshness and a pitch-perfect balance. On the nose and palate? Think concentrated black fruit, a touch of spice, and just the right hint of golden, toasty oak. It’s both juicy and full-bodied, driven by zesty, tangy fruit and a long, elegant finish. A wine with a Burgundian soul—refined, intense, and built to impress over the next 6 to 8 years. Scored 94/100 by the Selection Committee.

Vinification:

Hand harvested. Maceration for 60 to 90 days in vats, then finished in barrels. Aged for 12 months in oak barrels.

Color:

Intense red with purple highlights.

Nose:

The nose opens with intense, ripe black fruit, enriched by delicately spicy notes of blond wood.

Palate:

The palate is full-bodied and savory, revealing all the typical characteristics of the Mencía grape variety, with good length, tangy fruit, and intense finesse, ideal for accompanying grilled meats.

Temperature:

Serve at 14–16°C.

Food and wine pairing:

Veal sweetbreads and rapini potatoes, lamb chops and celery purée, duck breast and reduced jus.

Cellar aging:

From now until 2033

In the heart of Bierzo—a region that long lingered in the shadows—Raúl Pérez is quietly (or not so quietly) leading a revolution. Tucked away in northwestern Spain, between the rugged Cantabrian Mountains and the lush valleys of Bierzo, this wildly inventive winemaker isn’t chasing trends or taking shortcuts.

Worshipped by Parker (multiple perfect 100-point scores, no less) and hailed by the international press—he’s even graced the cover of Forbes twice—Raúl Pérez is carving out a path of pure excellence. His wines are small in quantity, but big on character, each one a masterclass in elegance.