B-21 Top Recommendation
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Described as “the archetype of the intuitive winemaking genius” by Decanter’s Pedro Ballesteros Torres, inspired winemaker Raul Perez Pereira produces his unique La Vizcaina portfolio from low yielding old vine parcels at high altitudes around Valtuille de Abajo in the Bierzo D.O. employing minimal intervention, these extraordinary, highly rated red and white selections a must buy for Spanish wine lovers and collectors seeking to explore this visionary winemaker’s exceptional wines and all representing outstanding values.
Boasting a family history as grape growers in the northwest corner of Castilla y Leon for nearly three centuries, Raul Perez Pereira left his family’s winery to create his self-named Bodegas in 2005, quickly becoming known as the reference point estate in Bierzo and establishing the La Vizcaina project in 2010 to highlight “a superb collection of terroirs” according to the Wine Advocate’s Luis Gutierrez from different zones around his hometown village. Producing four red and one white from organically farmed vines averaging over 50 years of age, the red wines are labeled as 100% Mencia although they include significant amounts of other local grapes, the rich varietal diversity found in Galicia thought to be due in large part to vine cuttings planted by pilgrims traveling the famous Camino de Santiago trail. Sourced from a 1.5-hectare parcel with one section planted in 1920 and considered Valtuille’s Grand Cru, the 96 pt. 2020 La Vizcaina El Rapolao offers fresh bright red fruit delicately balancing earthy spice and smoky minerality, aged for around a year in neutral 500 liter French casks and bottled without filtering or fining as are all of the La Vizcaina wines. From a 2.2-hectare hillside parcel planted in 1910, the 95 pt. 2020 La Vizcaina Las Gundinas boasts fresh red fruit hinting of earthy truffle with ripe tannins, half matured in 2,000-liter oak foudre and the other half in used 500-liter barrels while the 94 pt. 2020 La Vizcaina La Poulosa comes from an east facing, clay-dominant site planted in 1936, revealing ripe dark, brambly fruit with a slightly higher proportion of Garnacha and aged in a mix of used 500 liter casks and 225 liter barriques. The only white wine cuvee sourced mostly from 80- to 100-year-old Godella vines, the 95 pt. 2021 La Vizcaína La del Vivo Blanco boasts cool, elegant white fruit hinting of citrus and stone, raised in neutral 500 liter barrels with the remainder fermented and raised in open-top clay amphora on the skins under a protective layer of yeast and showing a hint of spice on the dry, chalky finish.
Describing the complexity of Pereira’s wines as coming “from harmony rather than abundance,” Decanter’s Pedro Ballesteros Torres sums up the winemaking style of Raul Perez Pereira as “able to conquer your palate in an unassuming way, gradually displaying unequalled elegance and discreet persistence,” these intriguing La Vizcaina selections certain to surprise and delight Spanish wine lovers seeking a one of a kind tasting experience from a truly dynamic winemaker at the top of his game. | 
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