La Vizcaina La Vitoriana 2023 by Bodegas Raul Perez is the expression of a unique vineyard, crafted by the “magician” of Bierzo. The most ethereal wine of the La Vizcaina range will captivate you from the very first moment it is poured into your glass. Apparently, critics felt the same way, as it received 95 points from Robert Parker and James Suckling, and 97 from Vinous.
The magnificent Raul Perez is one of the most awarded winemakers in the world. He has been named “Best Winemaker in the World” by multiple publications, while his wines consistently achieve top scores every year. Although he had a classical oenological education, he quickly turned to biodynamic farming and minimal-intervention winemaking, aiming to create wines that reflect the character of Bierzo and local grape varieties such as Mencia.
La Vizcaina La Vitoriana 2023 Bodegas Raul Perez is a blend based on Mencia, with a small addition of Bastardo, sourced from a tiny vineyard in the village of Valtuille, planted in 1920. In the winery, fermentation takes place with whole clusters and indigenous yeasts, followed by aging in French oak barrels of 225 and 500 liters for 11 months. Finally, it is bottled unfiltered and with no further intervention, in line with a gentle “natural” winemaking philosophy.
This is a wine that, once you taste it, you’ll always want to keep in your cellar, although there are not enough bottles for everyone.
