Mencia

A bright, sparkling red colour. The first nose is a little restrained, but after swirling it reveals lovely fruity, mineral notes that are very faithful to their terroir.

A bright, sparkling red colour. The first nose is a little restrained, but after swirling it reveals lovely fruity, mineral notes that are very faithful to their terroir.

An Atlantic-climate wine coming from Southern Galicia. Its Burgundy, refined style is that of a different Spain.

The "basic" wine from Algueira. Its amin characteristics are drinkability, juiciness, but also typicity and minerality. This type of wine is juicier than most of El Bierzo's Mencias.

This latest addition to the Castro Candaz range was first produced in 2018. It is the only Mencía made from grapes sourced from several vineyards, both in the northern Chantada area and in the Bibei area of Ribeira Sacra. Pure Mencía fruit!

Cobrana comes from a different village than Valtuille. It consists of several parcels around the village of Cobrana at 700 metres altitude. Here the soils are not sandy but composed of blue slate with clay. Verónica mainly works with field blends, very traditional for the region, with about 25% white grapes co-fermented with the reds. This co-fermentation results in a “Blouge” profile, a contraction of blanc and rouge, creating a wine that sits between white and red. This gives the wines from Cobrana a more Burgundian character, whereas those from Valtuille show a more Rhône-like profile.

This top wine is made with grapes from family-owned vineyard in the village of Corullon, at an altitude of 700 m.

This top wine is made with grapes from family-owned vineyard in the village of Corullon, at an altitude of 850 m.

This top wine is made with grapes from family-owned vineyard in the village of Corullon, at an altitude of 850 m.

It is often said that Mencia has the fruitiness of a Pinot Noir and the freshness of a Shiraz. This young (joven) wine was made with the same care as the Raúl Pérez's other cuvées but comes from younger vines.

El Cerro de Valdecañada comes from a tiny and steep 0.6-hectare parcel near Ponferrada in Bierzo. The vineyard has a northern exposure and the vines are more than 100 years old. Old Mencía vines planted on slate and schist soils produce a wine with remarkable freshness and minerality. Slightly ethereal and pure in style, with a ripe and refined tannic structure. Production is limited to around 600 bottles.

Another first-born from Raúl: for the first time he has vinified a wine in Ribeira Sacra, an extremely difficult region where Spanish reds are not always the easiest to drink. Here it’s a different story: this is, without doubt, the best wine ever made in this region.

This cuvée is the entry level wine of the finca, part of the "vinos elegantes" project by Raúl Perez and Rodri Méndez. The grapes come from 45 to 70 year-old vines, mainly Mencia, but also Alicante and Bastardo. The vines are located in La Chantada, at the Northern tip of the Ribeira Sacra, mainly on granite soils.

This wine is named after a small enclave in the D.O. Monterey: Govia. The estate's wines are all farmed biodynamically.

This wine is named after a small enclave in the D.O. Monterey: Govia. The estate's wines are all farmed biodynamically.

La Clave is the latest throw of genius Raúl Pérez. Mainly made from vineyards in the Ponferrada region. What is special about this wine is its coupage. Indeed, besides Mencía, half of it consists of Tintorera, or Alicante Bouschet, a grape variety that was widely planted in Galicia and Bierzo after the philloxera. This grape is best known for its dark-coloured flesh, which makes the La Clave darker in colour than the other Raúl wines.

La Faraona is the name of a vine in Corullón, located at a height of 850m.

La Penitencia is one of the most exclusive cuvées from Raúl Pérez. The wine comes from a small vineyard in Amandi (Ribeira Sacra), with vines over 70 years old, enjoying a unique microclimate and an eastern exposure. It is a field blend dominated by Mencía, but also includes small amounts of many other varieties such as Caíño, Sousón, Brancellao, Merenzao, Negreda, Garnacha Tintorera, and Mouratón. The vineyard is planted on pure slate soils along the banks of the Sil River.

La Penitencia is one of the most exclusive cuvées from Raúl Pérez. The wine comes from a small vineyard in Amandi (Ribeira Sacra), with vines over 70 years old, enjoying a unique microclimate and an eastern exposure. It is a field blend dominated by Mencía, but also includes small amounts of many other varieties such as Caíño, Sousón, Brancellao, Merenzao, Negreda, Garnacha Tintorera, and Mouratón. The vineyard is planted on pure slate soils along the banks of the Sil River.

La Penitencia is one of the most exclusive cuvées from Raúl Pérez. The wine comes from a small vineyard in Amandi (Ribeira Sacra), with vines over 70 years old, enjoying a unique microclimate and an eastern exposure. It is a field blend dominated by Mencía, but also includes small amounts of many other varieties such as Caíño, Sousón, Brancellao, Merenzao, Negreda, Garnacha Tintorera, and Mouratón. The vineyard is planted on pure slate soils along the banks of the Sil River.

Another great wine from Álvaro Palacios and his nephew Ricardo. Las Lamas is one of the estate’s Grand Crus, from a superb vineyard on a steep slate slope. Barely 1.6 hectares of old Mencía vines, complemented by a small amount of Palomino and Tintorera. Las Lamas is usually the more structured of the crus, but in fine vintages it retains that typical Atlantic touch, with plenty of finesse. Very limited availability!

Another great wine from Álvaro Palacios and his nephew Ricardo. Las Lamas is one of the estate’s Grand Crus, from a superb vineyard on a steep slate slope. Barely 1.6 hectares of old Mencía vines, complemented by a small amount of Palomino and Tintorera. Las Lamas is usually the more structured of the crus, but in fine vintages it retains that typical Atlantic touch, with plenty of finesse. Very limited availability!

La Vizcaína is a project by Raul Pérez where all wines are made from separate vines, with different orientations and soils. La Vizcaína derives from the name given to Raul's father (El Vizcaino, the Basque), also a oenologist, and who died young. For this project, Raul is assisted by his niece Nerea Pérez. Clay soils, the vines are north-facing and sit at an elevation of 500 metres – the coolest area of Valtuille de Abajo. The vines are 25 years old, much younger than those of ‘Valtuille Rapolao’ (100 years).

La Vizcaína is a project by Raul Pérez where all wines are made from separate vines, with different orientations and soils. La Vizcaína derives from the name given to Raul's father (El Vizcaino, the Basque), also a oenologist, and who died young. For this project, Raul is assisted by his niece Nerea Pérez. Clay soils, the vines are north-facing and sit at an elevation of 500 metres – the coolest area of Valtuille de Abajo. The vines are 25 years old, much younger than those of ‘Valtuille Rapolao’ (100 years).

La Vizcaína is a project by Raul Pérez where all wines are made from separate vines, with different orientations and soils. La Vizcaína derives from the name given to Raul's father (El Vizcaino, the Basque), also a oenologist, and who died young. For this project, Raul is assisted by his niece, Nerea Pérez. Made from old vines aged 80 to 100 years, east-facing and planted in the "Loma de Poulosa" plot. The soil is clay with pebbles. The addition of 10% Alicante Bouschet brings a vibrant acidity.

La Vizcaína is a project by Raul Pérez where all wines are made from separate vines, with different orientations and soils. La Vizcaína derives from the name given to Raul's father (El Vizcaino, the Basque), also a oenologist, and who died young. For this project, Raul is assisted by his niece, Nerea Pérez. La Vitoriana was planted in the 1890s on red clay and alluvial stones, and benefits from various exposures thanks to the curved shape of the vineyards. The blend is predominantly Mencía, with Bastardo (Trousseau), Doña Blanca and Palomino. The vineyard’s name comes from the former owners, Víctor and Anna – hence: Vitoriana.

La Vizcaína is a project by Raul Pérez where all wines are made from separate vines, with different orientations and soils. La Vizcaína derives from the name given to Raul's father (El Vizcaino, the Basque), also a oenologist, and who died young. For this project, Raul is assisted by his niece Nerea Pérez. Thanks to its flatter topography, clay soils, and southeast exposure, Las Gundinas never struggles with ripeness – a sensual, generous wine that commands attention.

La Vizcaína is a project by Raul Pérez where all wines are made from separate vines, with different orientations and soils. La Vizcaína derives from the name given to Raul's father (El Vizcaino, the Basque), also a oenologist, and who died young. For this project, Raul is assisted by his niece Nerea Pérez. Thanks to its flatter topography, clay soils, and southeast exposure, Las Gundinas never struggles with ripeness – a sensual, generous wine that commands attention.

Lousas is the workhorse of Envínate in Galicia. Their "village wine". Besides their top volcanic wines in Tenerife, they also have beautiful vineyards in Ribeira Sacra, located between 300 and 500 m altitude. The Lousas is the Spanish alternative to village wines from Burgundy, which today often cost many times as much as this Spaniard. All vineyards are in biodynamics.

Lousas is the workhorse of Envínate in Galicia. Their "village wine". Besides their top volcanic wines in Tenerife, they also have beautiful vineyards in Ribeira Sacra, located between 400 and 600 m altitude. The Lousas is the Spanish alternative to village wines from Burgundy, which today often cost many times as much as this Spaniard. All vineyards are in biodynamics.

Another great wine from Álvaro Palacios and his nephew Ricardo. Las Lamas is one of the estate’s Grand Crus, from a superb vineyard on a steep slate slope. Barely 1.6 hectares of old Mencía vines, complemented by a small amount of Palomino and Tintorera. Las Lamas is usually the more structured of the crus, but in fine vintages it retains that typical Atlantic touch, with plenty of finesse. Very limited availability!

Moncerbal is one of Palacios' greatest crus. The vineyard has an impressive location on a sheer slope of slate.

Another great wine from Álvaro Palacios and his nephew Ricardo. Las Lamas is one of the estate’s Grand Crus, from a superb vineyard on a steep slate slope. Barely 1.6 hectares of old Mencía vines, complemented by a small amount of Palomino and Tintorera. Las Lamas is usually the more structured of the crus, but in fine vintages it retains that typical Atlantic touch, with plenty of finesse. Very limited availability!

Moncerbal is one of Palacios' greatest crus. The vineyard has an impressive location on a sheer slope of slate.

Moncerbal is one of Palacios' greatest crus. The vineyard has an impressive location on a sheer slope of slate.

Entry-level wine from this house. Honest, tasty and super-fruity. Pétalos = flower petals. Mainly from vineyards in and around Corullón. Mainly Mencía, but also quite a few unknown white and red grape varieties from the region due to the use of vieilles vignes. In 2021, it was named the best red wine in the world for value for money by Wine Spectator.

Entry-level wine from this house. Honest, tasty and super-fruity. Pétalos = flower petals. Mainly from vineyards in and around Corullón. Mainly Mencía, but also quite a few unknown white and red grape varieties from the region due to the use of vieilles vignes.

Pizarra is the estate’s flagship cuvée, made from Mencía. It is the most mineral-driven Mencía in our range, with a distinctly Atlantic character.

The name Quite (little hand, in the parlance of the bull-fighters) brings us back to the Andalusian roots of Veronica, whose father was a torero. This is Veronica's most approachable Mencia, juicy and fruity, but still very personal.

Promo-pack 6 bottles: 5+1 free. The name Quite (little hand, in the parlance of the bull-fighters) brings us back to the Andalusian roots of Veronica, whose father was a torero. This is Veronica's most approachable Mencia, juicy and fruity, but still very personal.

“ROC” was the first wine Verónica made in this region in 2010. It is a tribute to her brother Roberto, who passed away at a young age. It comes from two parcels (El Couso and La Rata) located in Valtuille de Abajo, on poor sandy soils with quartz debris. The vines are 80 years old. This blend made from the best terroirs of Valtuille can bear the "vino de Pueblo" mention. This was has not a big extract, but it is typical of the Mencía grape.

Ultreia El Agro is a very limited single-vineyard wine by Raúl Pérez from D.O. Bierzo. The wine is made from 100% Mencía and comes from a small plot next to El Val, overlooking Raúl Pérez’s own house. El Agro covers barely 0.2 hectares and consists mainly of poor sandy soils. The combination of old vines, low yields and sandy soil gives a wine with plenty of charm, freshness and minerality.

Raúl Pérez knows like no-one else how to achieve the right balance between finesse and strength. This is no doubt the most elegant of all the reds at Ultreia.

This entry level wine in Raul Perez's range is a tribute to the Camino de Compostela (Ultreia is the salute given to the pilgrims on the way); it is also a very pure expression of the Mencia grape.

This is Raul Pérez's top Bierzo-wine. Named after the old salute of the pilgrims on they way to Santiago de Compostela (Ultreia, go on!) it is a perfect illustration of a pure Mencia. It comes from a 1,1 ha vineyard, planted in 1908, 530m above sea-level?

This is Raul Pérez's top Bierzo-wine. Named after the old salute of the pilgrims on they way to Santiago de Compostela (Ultreia, go on!) it is a perfect illustration of a pure Mencia. It comes from a 1,1 ha vineyard, planted in 1908, 530m above sea-level?

Valdecañada comes from a steep vineyard in Bierzo, located at 700 to 800 metres altitude near Ponferrada. Since the 2015 vintage, the grapes have been vinified separately. Before that, they were used in the Ultreia wines. Old Mencía vines planted on slate and schist soils give the wine a distinctly mineral and fresh profile. Extremely limited production, fully focused on finesse and terroir expression, with great freshness and low alcohol levels.

It is often said that a good Mencia combines the fruit of a nice Pinot and the freshness of a good Syrah. Valtuille - the name of the village where the vineyard stands - comes from a selection of 100 year-old vines, at 580 m above sea level. Production; 3,500 bottles.

Castro Ventosa is one of the oldest domains in Bierzo. This is the family domain of Spain's most famous oenologist Raul Pérez. Cova de la Raposa ('cave of the fox') is a vineyard located in the village of Abajo de Valtuille. Southern exposure on sandy soil. Not an easy plot and therefore this wine is not made every year. When it does succeed, the wine is truly great.

Castro Ventosa is one of the oldest domains in Bierzo. This is the family domain of Spain's most famous oenologist Raul Pérez. Cova de la Raposa ('cave of the fox') is a vineyard located in the village of Abajo de Valtuille. Southern exposure on sandy soil. Not an easy plot and therefore this wine is not made every year. When it does succeed, the wine is truly great.

Castro Ventosa is one of El Bierzo's oldest estate. It is the family estate of Raul Pérez, Spain's most famous oenologist. And La Vitoriana is one of their best crus. Très limité : seulement environ 600 bouteilles ont été produites !

Rapoalo is a 3.5 hectare cru divided between some 6 winemakers, of which being Raul Pérez who produces wine from this cru with Ultreia and La Vizcaina. The vines are more than 100 years-old, the soils are mainly clay. The parcel sees the Sun quite late in the morning.

Rapoalo is a 3.5 hectare cru divided between some 6 winemakers, of which being Raul Pérez who produces wine from this cru with Ultreia and La Vizcaina. The vines are more than 100 years-old, the soils are mainly clay. The parcel sees the Sun quite late in the morning.

El Bierzo was one of the first Spanish denominaciones to get a completely new set of specifications, introducing (from 2017 onwards) the vino de villa for wines made with grapes originating from one village. A list of villages has been issued. Some producers already use these names, including our suppliers. A good example of "vino de villa" is Valtuille.

One of Palacios' greatest crus. The vineyard has an impressive location on a sheer slope of slate.

Castro Ventosa is one of El Bierzo's oldest estate. It is the family estate of Raul Pérez, Spain's most famous oenologist. And La Vitoriana is one of their best crus.