Lot: 6 Bottles – Raúl Pérez (Castro Ventosa) – Mencía 2023 2 × Valtuille Vino de Villa 2023 2 × Valtuille Rapolao 2023 2 × Cova de la Raposa 2023 Overview & Provenance An exceptional and highly collectible mixed lot of top-tier Mencía from Raúl Pérez, produced under his historic family winery Castro Ventosa in Valtuille de Abajo. The 2023 vintage marks one of the most anticipated releases of the last decade — characterised by precision, purity, and outstanding balance, with the signature Pérez touch of minimal intervention and vineyard expression. This curated 6-bottle selection showcases three distinct parajes, each bottled separately and representing some of the most coveted terroirs of the Bierzo appellation. The Wines & Their Terroir Valtuille Vino de Villa 2023 (×2) A benchmark expression of Valtuille, sourced from a mosaic of old vineyards on sandy and clay-limestone soils. Elegant, aromatic, and refined. Ideal introduction to Pérez’s village-level profile. Valtuille Rapolao 2023 (×2) One of the coolest, most Atlantic-influenced parajes of Bierzo. Silky, lifted, and deeply mineral, often compared to fine Côte de Nuits Pinot Noir. A collector’s favourite. Cova de la Raposa 2023 (×2) A warmer, more structured site with dense fruit, graphite tension, and great depth. Known for producing long-lived, powerful Mencía with exceptional complexity. Winemaking Signature (Raúl Pérez) All wines are vinified with whole-cluster influence, indigenous yeasts, gentle extraction, and ageing in neutral barrels — ensuring purity, transparency, and a true reflection of each parcel’s identity. Tasting Profile (2023 Vintage) The 2023 vintage is characterised by: – vibrant freshness and concentrated fruit – high aromatic purity (violets, wild herbs, black cherry, mineral dust) – precise tannins and outstanding tension – excellent structure for long-term ageing These six bottles offer both immediacy and strong ageing potential (10–20+ years). Cellar Condition & Provenance All bottles have been preserved in impeccable, temperature-controlled cellar conditions, ensuring perfect evolution and ideal storage for future ageing or resale. Labels, capsules, and fill levels are excellent. Collector & Investment Value Raúl Pérez’s paraje wines rank among the most internationally sought-after reds from Bierzo, with consistent critical acclaim — frequently receiving high 90s from Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate depending on vintage. The 2023 releases, especially Rapolao and Cova de la Raposa, are already considered future classics. This 6-bottle lot represents a rare investment opportunity, combining three different terroirs, all from one of Spain’s most influential winemakers. A perfect portfolio addition for collectors focusing on single-vineyard Atlantic reds with proven appreciation potential.