El Castro de Valtuille Mencia 2021

Hi Folks, Great news the much anticipated new arrival of Raul Perez's El Castro de Valtuille Mencia is here!  In recent times this has garnered quite a following as one of our best value Mencia's in our store and we now want you all to share in its splendour. The 2021 El Castro de Valtuille from Bierzo, (Castilla y Leon) is produced by one of the most acclaimed winemakers in Europe; Raul Perez.  Born and raised in Bierzo, Raul Perez's delicious and vibrant Mencia features fresh mineral-tinged redcurrant and cherry scents with very good clarity and a subtle floral overtone.  Tangy, focused and pure on the palate, offering intense flavors of cherry, blackcurrant and red berry. It shows a light touch that's quite pinot-like, along with a hint of smokiness that carries through a long, mineral-driven finish.  If this wine were to be tasted blind, then it would be full of surprises, revealing a host of nuances that result in the creation of a very fine Mencia. 

''With lots of freshness and balance, possibly the finest vintage of this wine. This is one of the wines that transcends its price category, and it's serious and balanced. It has very fine tannins. With great finesse and great balance.'' 92 Points, Luis Gutierrez, Wine Advocate Magazine

“Most wine lovers, I suspect, have never heard of Bierzo, but word is getting around. And if you get the opportunity to taste one from there; do it!  With its haunting, exotic wildflower, licorice and fruit flavors, you can't help but remember it.” Eric Asimov, The New York Times

''The mencia varietal creates wonderfully scented, deeply fruit-driven red wines alive with strawberry, blackcurrant and mulberry juiciness. Mencia has something of the character of serious Beaujolais, or Loire Valley cabernet franc, yet also a character of its own.'' Susy Atkins, The Telegraph (UK)

            Awarded 2014 Winemaker of the Year by Der Feinschmecker (Germany)

         Awarded 2015 Best Winemaker in the World by Bettane+Desseauve (France)