Bodegas Peique – Single Paraje Mencía Collection Cova de la Raposa 2021 & Rapolao 2022 Bierzo DO – 6 Bottles This carefully curated lot brings together six bottles of top-tier single-paraje Mencía from Bodegas Peique, one of Bierzo’s most respected and terroir-driven family wineries. The selection highlights two of the estate’s most emblematic vineyard sites, offering a rare opportunity to explore distinct expressions of Mencía from two highly regarded parajes. Lot Composition 3 bottles – Cova de la Raposa Mencía 2021 3 bottles – Rapolao Mencía 2022 The Vineyards & Terroir Cova de la Raposa Cova de la Raposa is a clearly delimited single paraje known for its complex soils and excellent exposure. The vineyard produces wines of depth, structure, and mineral tension, with a more classic and age-worthy profile. Rapolao Rapolao is one of the most celebrated vineyard areas in Bierzo, shared by several top producers and widely recognized as a source of some of the region’s finest Mencía. Peique’s interpretation emphasizes precision, elegance, and aromatic complexity, expressing the site’s natural finesse and energy. The Wines Cova de la Raposa Mencía 2021 (3 bottles) The 2021 vintage delivers a serious and structured expression of Mencía. Aromas of dark cherry, wild berries, dried herbs, and subtle graphite lead into a layered palate with fine-grained tannins and a long, mineral finish. A wine clearly built for medium to long-term ageing, rewarding patience in the cellar. Rapolao Mencía 2022 (3 bottles) The 2022 Rapolao offers a more vibrant and expressive profile, marked by purity of fruit, floral notes, and crushed stone. The palate is fresh, energetic, and precise, with refined structure and excellent balance. While approachable earlier than the 2021 Cova de la Raposa, it retains the pedigree and ageing potential expected from a top single-paraje wine. Winemaking Approach Both wines are produced with a minimal-intervention philosophy, using indigenous yeasts, gentle extraction, and carefully judged oak ageing. The focus is on transparency, vineyard expression, and longevity, allowing each site to clearly express its identity. Cellar Conditions All bottles have been stored under impeccable cellar conditions, with controlled temperature and humidity, no exposure to light or vibration. The wines have been preserved specifically with long-term ageing in mind, and photographic evidence supports their excellent state of conservation. Final Notes – Collectability & Investment Perspective This lot represents a highly attractive collector’s opportunity, combining two benchmark paraje wines from Bierzo in complementary vintages. Single-paraje Mencía from respected producers such as Bodegas Peique continues to gain recognition among international collectors, driven by limited production, strong critical attention, and the growing prestige of Bierzo as a fine-wine region. The combination of site-specific wines, limited quantities, and proven ageing potential positions this selection not only as a compelling tasting experience but also as a solid long-term cellar asset with clear patrimonial and investment appeal.