Ultreia La Vitoriana 2022

Ultreia La Vitoriana comes from Raul Perez, one of the most respected winemakers in Castilla y Leon, and is sourced from a single old vineyard in Valtuille within the D.O. Bierzo. The plot dates to 1903, and these century-old Mencia vines sit on the slate and clay soils that define Bierzo, where good drainage and poor fertility keep yields low and concentrate the fruit. The continental climate is moderated by Atlantic influence, and the wide difference between warm days and cool nights preserves acidity and aromatic detail. The wine ages for twelve months in oak barrels, where slow oxygen exchange softens the tannins and adds a savoury, spiced frame without masking the variety. The colour is deep ruby. The nose carries red berries, dark cherry and plum over earth and liquorice, with the graphite mineral character typical of slate-grown Mencia. The palate is medium bodied and structured, with fresh acidity, fine-grained tannins and a long savoury finish. Serve at 16 to 17 degrees and decant young bottles for half an hour. It works well with roast meats, mushroom dishes and aged cheese.