Valtuille La Cova de la Raposa 2023Castro Ventosa (Raúl Pérez) - 75 cl.

Vinified separately since 2003, the 2023 Valtuille La Cova de la Raposa comes from the lieu-dit that names the wine, where the soils are rich in sand. This south-facing vineyard is the first they harvest, as the orientation and the fact that the old vines only produce two to three clusters per vine make them ripen early. They used 35% full clusters for the native fermentation with 30 days of maceration. It matured in two 500-liter oak barrels for 12 months. This wine is quite atypical for the place; it has more finesse and less ripeness. There's a floral note I have never seen here before. It has contained ripeness and alcohol (13.22%) with nice balance. This is a great vintage for this wine. 1,200 bottles were filled in April 2025.

An exceptional nose of dried flowers and elderberries with a restrained, almost austere edge. The palate is medium- to full-bodied and truly sublime, showing wonderful concentration, freshness and clarity, with nothing out of place. Expressive and layered, it shows real depth and persistence. Grown on sandy soil.