ULTREIA SAINT JACQUES 2018 - BODEGAS RAUL PEREZ

The wine experts, call Mencia "Pinot Noir on steroids" because it has pure and intense red fruit but a richer body, more intense tannins, and spicy character. Ultreia Saint Jacques 2018 Raul Perez is all the above and so much more. Specifically, Robert Parker says that it far exceeds the other wines in this price range which is why he rated it with 93pts!

Raul Perez is one of Bierzo's most famous winemakers. He has learned all the secrets of biodynamic farming and Mencia next to the great Alvaro Palacios. Around 2000 he decided to turn to biodynamic cultivation and mild natural vinification. Raul Perez lets the terroir and variety speak for themselves and that is why his wines have so much to say.

His first project was Ultreia, which has started in 2003. Ultreia is a greeting used in the past by pilgrims traveling from Camino to Santiago and means "we go further". Their story is connected to Raul's birthplace and so he wanted to honor his place but also to mark the beginning of a brilliant course that would "take him further". Ultreia St Jacques Raul Perez is made by Mencia that is hand-picked and fermented with ambient yeasts, in whole bunches. The year 2018 aged in 225-liter, second-hand barrels from Vega Sicilia (!!!!) and in concrete tanks for 9 to 10 months. The wine is bottled unfiltered and includes all the finesse and essence of Mencia.

If you have not already put it in your basket you are doing it wrong!

Ultreia Saint Jacques 2018 Raul Perez has medium purple color and an intoxicating nose. Intense aromas of plum, sour cherry, lavender, evening primrose, licorice, star anise, cherry, raspberry, and strawberry.

In the mouth, it has medium body, refreshing acidity and moderate silky tannins. Juicy and rich red fruits such as strawberry, sour cherry, wild cherry, and raspberry jam are accompanied by notes of tea, graphite, lavender, and pepper.