Ultreia Paluezas 2022

Ultreia Paluezas is made by Raul Perez in the D.O. Bierzo, in the far west of Castilla y Leon, from the local Mencia grape. The vines grow on the slate and schist soils that run through Bierzo, free-draining and low in vigour, which restricts yields and pushes the fruit towards concentration and freshness rather than weight. Bierzo sits in a sheltered basin with a transitional climate between continental and Atlantic, and the marked swing between day and night temperatures holds the acidity and aromatic lift in the grapes. The wine spends twelve months in oak barrels, where gentle oxygen exchange rounds the tannins and frames the fruit with savoury spice. The colour is a deep, alluring crimson. On the nose it shows red fruits, with cherry and strawberry to the fore, lifted by floral hints and a mineral, earthy base. The palate is medium to full bodied, with bright acidity, fine tannins and a long, savoury finish that returns to red fruit and pepper. Serve at 16 to 17 degrees and decant young. It suits roast and grilled meats, mushroom dishes and hard cheese.