Raúl Pérez Castro Ventosa Collection 2023 Godello & Mencía | Single Vineyard and Village Wines 6 Bottles | Bierzo, Spain** This carefully curated lot brings together six bottles from the 2023 vintage produced by Raúl Pérez at Bodegas y Viñedos Castro Ventosa, one of the historic reference estates of Bierzo. The selection showcases both Godello and Mencía, highlighting the region’s terroir through village wines and single-vineyard bottlings, all crafted under Raúl Pérez’s signature philosophy of precision, authenticity, and minimal intervention. Lot Composition 2 bottles – El Val Godello 2023 (single vineyard Godello) 2 bottles – Valtuille Vino de Villa Mencía 2023 2 bottles – Cova de la Raposa Mencía 2023 (single vineyard Mencía) The Wines El Val Godello 2023 (2 bottles) El Val is a specific vineyard (viñedo/paraje) planted with old Godello vines, producing one of the most precise and age-worthy white wines in Bierzo. Vinified with indigenous yeasts and minimal intervention, this wine emphasizes purity, tension, and mineral expression. The profile is marked by citrus zest, white stone fruit, fennel, wet stone, and subtle herbal notes. On the palate, it is linear, vibrant, and saline, with depth and structure that clearly point to excellent ageing potential. El Val has become a benchmark for serious Godello and is highly regarded by critics and collectors alike. Valtuille Vino de Villa Mencía 2023 (2 bottles) This wine represents the village-level expression of Valtuille de Abajo, blending fruit from multiple old vineyards within the village. It offers an authentic and transparent interpretation of Mencía, balancing accessibility with complexity. Aromatically expressive, with red berries, floral tones, dried herbs, and light earthy nuances, the palate is fresh, elegant, and finely structured. It reflects Raúl Pérez’s ability to deliver wines of clarity and identity without excess extraction or oak influence. Cova de la Raposa Mencía 2023 (2 bottles) Cova de la Raposa is a single-vineyard wine, sourced from old bush vines planted on clay-limestone soils. This bottling sits higher in the Bierzo quality pyramid, emphasizing site specificity, depth, and longevity. The wine shows darker fruit, graphite, wild herbs, subtle spice, and a pronounced mineral core. Tannins are fine-grained and persistent, supporting a long, precise finish. Production is limited, making it particularly attractive to collectors focused on vineyard-designated wines. Vintage & Winemaking Context The 2023 vintage in Bierzo is widely recognized for its balance, aromatic definition, and refined structure. Raúl Pérez’s approach—native yeasts, gentle extraction, and restrained use of oak—allows the vineyards to speak clearly, reinforcing the terroir-driven identity of each wine. Critical Recognition Wines from Raúl Pérez and Castro Ventosa are consistently highly rated by Robert Parker / The Wine Advocate, especially for their vineyard-designated Mencías and top Godellos. The 2023 releases have been particularly praised for their freshness, precision, and ageing potential, strengthening their position among Spain’s most respected contemporary wines. Cellar Conditions All bottles have been stored in impeccable professional cellar conditions, with controlled temperature and humidity, protected from light and vibration. This ensures optimal preservation and supports their long-term ageing and investment value. Final Notes – Collectability & Investment Perspective This lot offers a complete and coherent snapshot of top-level Bierzo, combining white and red wines, village and single-vineyard expressions, and the unmistakable signature of Raúl Pérez, one of Spain’s most influential winemakers. Limited production, strong critical recognition, and growing international demand for terroir-driven Bierzo wines position this selection as an excellent opportunity for collectors and long-term investors, with clear potential for patrimonial appreciation and cellar enhancement.