2019 Raúl Pérez El Cerro de Valdecañada
| Type of Wine | |
|---|---|
| Country | Spain |
| Region | |
| Appellation | |
| Winery | |
| Vintage | 2019 |
| Grape | |
| Content (Alc) | 0.75 ltr (12.5%) |
| Drink window | 2024 - 2032 |
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Low Stock
Only 4 left
Description
Tight and restrained Bierzo with a focus on tension, transparency and terroir expression.
Raúl Pérez Winery
Raúl Pérez is considered one of Spain's most influential and idiosyncratic winemakers. Based in Bierzo, he works with old vineyards, minimal intervention, and a strong focus on provenance. His wines often focus on tension, freshness, and structure, with a style that deliberately deviates from ripeness or extraction. In addition to his renowned Ultreia wines, Pérez develops small-scale projects in which he explores specific zones and soils individually. His top wines, however, are almost impossible to find! Everyone talks about them, but few have ever tasted them. The common thread in his work is the recovery of old vines from native grape varieties and the creation of authentic wines with plenty of character and personality. Or, to put it in his own words: "I'd rather make an undrinkably bad Galician wine, but at least let it be a Galician wine."
More information about this winery can be found under the Winery tab.
Region, climate and location
El Cerro de Valdecañada originates from the Ponferrada area of Bierzo, an area with a relatively cool microclimate and distinct Atlantic influences. The Valdecañada zone distinguishes itself within Bierzo by its location and soil composition, which produce wines with lower alcohol, greater freshness, and a pronounced mineral tension.
Vineyards
The vineyards are situated on slate and schist soils, which directly contribute to the wine's taut and mineral character. Raúl Pérez acquired these plots in 2008 and, starting in 2015, decided to vinify the grapes separately to better express the unique character of Valdecañada. Yields are very low, and the production of this wine is limited to approximately 600 bottles, all numbered. This is a collector's item.
Grape varieties and composition
The wine is made from Mencía grapes. In this context, the grape isn't ripe or generous, but rather taut and transparent, emphasizing structure, acidity, and mineral expression rather than fruit concentration.
Harvest, vinification and maturation
The grapes are harvested by hand and carefully selected. Vinification involves minimal intervention, with the wine aging in a separate cellar in Valdecañada. The wines are aged under a veil of flor, which provides protection from oxidation and allows for the use of very little to no sulfur. This approach results in a distinctly dry, precise, and cleanly structured wine.
Color, smell and taste
The wine has a transparent ruby red color. The aroma is restrained and taut, with notes of red fruit, spices, and a distinct mineral component reminiscent of wet stone and slate. On the palate, the wine is dry and linear, with pronounced tension and freshness. The fruit remains in the background, giving way to structure, acidity, and an almost ascetic precision. The texture is light yet concentrated, with a long, dry finish carried primarily by minerality and finesse. The style is austere, yet less austere than in cooler vintages, making the wine more accessible without losing its character.
Summary of professional reviews
Luis Gutiérrez of The Wine Advocate awarded the wine 96 points and described it as cleaner and more accessible than previous vintages, with a pure, pared-down style without glycerin or excess. He emphasized the combination of austerity and precision, yet with more approachability than the more rigorous 2018. The very limited production and distinct provenance make this wine a characterful and distinctive expression of Bierzo.
The full review texts can be found in the Professional Reviews tab.
If available, you'll find the official fact sheet and additional information about this fine wine in the "Attachments" tab. We'll automatically send you this information when you order this wine. The wine is stored in our climate-controlled Wine Warehouse, and if you pick it up, you'll often receive a nice discount. You'll see your discount immediately when you select "Pick up" at the checkout page. We're located in Dordrecht, right next to the A16 motorway, with ample parking. Click here for our address.
You can read the full wine reviews from Parker, Suckling, Vinous, and Wine Spectator, among others. Need advice on finding the perfect wine to pair with your dish? Click here for our exclusive Sommelier. Free for Grand Cru customers.
Specifications
| Packing information | Box |
|---|---|
| Type of Wine | Red |
| Country | Spain |
| Region | Castilla y Leon |
| Appellation | Bierzo |
| Icons | Icon Spain & Portugal |
| Winery | Raul Perez |
| Grape | Mencia |
| Biological certified | No |
| Natural wine | No |
| Vegan | No |
| Vintage | 2019 |
| Drinking as of | 2024 |
| Drinking till | 2032 |
| Alcohol % | 12.5 |
| Alcohol free/low | No |
| Content | 0.75 ltr |
| Oak aging | Yes |
| Sparkling | No |
| Dessert wine | No |
| Closure | Cork |
| Parker rating | 96 |
| Tasting Profiles | Complex, Mineraal, Rood fruit, Strak, Tannines |
| Drink moments | Barbecue, Iets te vieren, Met vrienden, Romantisch |
| Sommy Pairing Beschrijving | De 2019 Raúl Pérez El Cerro de Valdecañada is een strakke en minerale wijn met een verfijnd smaakprofiel van fris rood fruit, kruidige hints en een duidelijke steenachtige mineraliteit. Door zijn transparante en precieze karakter past hij uitstekend bij gerechten met rijke smaken zoals rundvlees, wild en gevogelte, vooral wanneer ze bereid worden met eenvoudige, pure technieken zoals grillen of slow cooking. De wijn combineert het beste met gerechten die niet te zwaar gekruid zijn, zodat de minerale en frisse tonen mooi naar voren komen, bijvoorbeeld een geroosterde eend of een rundertartaar. Dankzij de subtiele structuur en de uitgesproken frisheid versterkt deze wijn de smaken van het vlees zonder te overheersen, waardoor iedere slok een ware smaaksensatie wordt. |
Professional Reviews
Parker
The Wine Advocate
RP 96
Reviewed by:
Luis Gutiérrez
Release Price:
$200
Drink Date:
2023 - 2030
I like the 2019 El Cerro de Valdecañada, which is cleaner and more approachable. In general, the character of the 2019 vintage is rounder, but even so here there's no glycerin; it's pure bones without meat, but this is less austere than 2018. It's an expression of austerity that's a little more approachable. 600 bottles produced.
Raúl Pérez doesn't stop. Beyond the huge range of wines I tasted, he has more—the R+D wines under the RaúlPérez label, and he has FOUR whole new projects, of which I tasted only Valdecañada (from Ponferrada). The Valdecañada project started in 2008/2009 when he bought a winery in the zone of Ponferrada (Cabildo) that came with to hectares of vineyards. The grapes were added to the Ultreia wines, but he saw the potential to achieve lower alcohol and more freshness and decided to start separating them in 2015. It's a zone with schist and slate soils. The wines that age in that winery are all aged under a veil of flor yeast, which allows him to work with very little to no sulfur. The style of the wines is quite different from the other wines from Pérez. There are three very different zones in Bierzo—Corullón, Valdecañada and Valtuille—different soils and altitudes, and he now works in two of them.
He tends to favor 2020 against 2019, but it's difficult to generalize. 2020 is easier, more immediate, similar to 2010.
Published: Jan 31, 2022
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua...
Exclusive Content
Sign in to unlock professional wine reviews from world-renowned critics
Wijnhuis
Raúl Pérez is without a doubt the most mediatic winemaker in all of Spain today. However, his wines are almost impossible to find! Everyone talks about it, but few have already tasted them. Raúl is present in numerous appellations and regions, not only in Spain, but also in South Africa, Portugal, South America.
We have been following Raúl since 2000; at that time he was still working as an oenologist at the Castro Ventosa family estate in Valtuille de Abajo. He also worked as an oenologist-consultant for other domains in Bierzo. He refined the Mencia to unprecedented heights, also helped Ricardo and Alvaro Palacios start their top domain, while constantly tasting and trying other wines from around the world. Raúl is a restless nature and his curiosity and passion take him further and further.
Between 2005 and 2007 he left the family domain and left for a wine odyssey. In a few years he made a name for himself and became a real 'star' in the wine world. The common thread in his work is the recovery of vieilles vignes from indigenous grape varieties and the making of authentic wines with a lot of character and personality. Or to put it in his own words, "I'd rather make an undrinkably bad Galician wine, but at least let it be a Galician wine." He has therefore already vinified dozens of wines in countless different regions (mostly in the northwest of Spain, and also beyond), but which have never been marketed. He tests, he tries, and often fails. Of course, this way of working brings him a lot of experience, with which he will later be able to get the most out of one grape variety or one region.
Today he makes or contributes to more than 80 wines. In the end, he more or less settled himself by renovating two of his own mini-bodegas: one in the Tierra de León region, in the village of Valdevimbre, and another in his native Bierzo, where he is in the village of Salas de los Barrios. own Ultreia's, the absolute essence of Mencía. Raúl always works organically and as pure as possible. It uses the minimum of SO2. The wines we get from him are always in minimal quantities and we hardly ever know what we are going to get, from what year and how much ... That is Raúl in all.
Food
Food Pairings
De 2019 Raúl Pérez El Cerro de Valdecañada is een strakke en minerale wijn met een verfijnd smaakprofiel van fris rood fruit, kruidige hints en een duidelijke steenachtige mineraliteit. Door zijn transparante en precieze karakter past hij uitstekend bij gerechten met rijke smaken zoals rundvlees, wild en gevogelte, vooral wanneer ze bereid worden met eenvoudige, pure technieken zoals grillen of slow cooking. De wijn combineert het beste met gerechten die niet te zwaar gekruid zijn, zodat de minerale en frisse tonen mooi naar voren komen, bijvoorbeeld een geroosterde eend of een rundertartaar. Dankzij de subtiele structuur en de uitgesproken frisheid versterkt deze wijn de smaken van het vlees zonder te overheersen, waardoor iedere slok een ware smaaksensatie wordt.
Click on a category to discover delicious recipes that pair perfectly with this wine.
Do you already have a dish in mind?
Let our AI sommelier help you find the ideal wine for your dish
Start the Sommy Wine Advice ToolTight and restrained Bierzo with a focus on tension, transparency and terroir expression.
Raúl Pérez Winery
Raúl Pérez is considered one of Spain's most influential and idiosyncratic winemakers. Based in Bierzo, he works with old vineyards, minimal intervention, and a strong focus on provenance. His wines often focus on tension, freshness, and structure, with a style that deliberately deviates from ripeness or extraction. In addition to his renowned Ultreia wines, Pérez develops small-scale projects in which he explores specific zones and soils individually. His top wines, however, are almost impossible to find! Everyone talks about them, but few have ever tasted them. The common thread in his work is the recovery of old vines from native grape varieties and the creation of authentic wines with plenty of character and personality. Or, to put it in his own words: "I'd rather make an undrinkably bad Galician wine, but at least let it be a Galician wine."
More information about this winery can be found under the Winery tab.
Region, climate and location
El Cerro de Valdecañada originates from the Ponferrada area of Bierzo, an area with a relatively cool microclimate and distinct Atlantic influences. The Valdecañada zone distinguishes itself within Bierzo by its location and soil composition, which produce wines with lower alcohol, greater freshness, and a pronounced mineral tension.
Vineyards
The vineyards are situated on slate and schist soils, which directly contribute to the wine's taut and mineral character. Raúl Pérez acquired these plots in 2008 and, starting in 2015, decided to vinify the grapes separately to better express the unique character of Valdecañada. Yields are very low, and the production of this wine is limited to approximately 600 bottles, all numbered. This is a collector's item.
Grape varieties and composition
The wine is made from Mencía grapes. In this context, the grape isn't ripe or generous, but rather taut and transparent, emphasizing structure, acidity, and mineral expression rather than fruit concentration.
Harvest, vinification and maturation
The grapes are harvested by hand and carefully selected. Vinification involves minimal intervention, with the wine aging in a separate cellar in Valdecañada. The wines are aged under a veil of flor, which provides protection from oxidation and allows for the use of very little to no sulfur. This approach results in a distinctly dry, precise, and cleanly structured wine.
Color, smell and taste
The wine has a transparent ruby red color. The aroma is restrained and taut, with notes of red fruit, spices, and a distinct mineral component reminiscent of wet stone and slate. On the palate, the wine is dry and linear, with pronounced tension and freshness. The fruit remains in the background, giving way to structure, acidity, and an almost ascetic precision. The texture is light yet concentrated, with a long, dry finish carried primarily by minerality and finesse. The style is austere, yet less austere than in cooler vintages, making the wine more accessible without losing its character.
Summary of professional reviews
Luis Gutiérrez of The Wine Advocate awarded the wine 96 points and described it as cleaner and more accessible than previous vintages, with a pure, pared-down style without glycerin or excess. He emphasized the combination of austerity and precision, yet with more approachability than the more rigorous 2018. The very limited production and distinct provenance make this wine a characterful and distinctive expression of Bierzo.
The full review texts can be found in the Professional Reviews tab.
If available, you'll find the official fact sheet and additional information about this fine wine in the "Attachments" tab. We'll automatically send you this information when you order this wine. The wine is stored in our climate-controlled Wine Warehouse, and if you pick it up, you'll often receive a nice discount. You'll see your discount immediately when you select "Pick up" at the checkout page. We're located in Dordrecht, right next to the A16 motorway, with ample parking. Click here for our address.
You can read the full wine reviews from Parker, Suckling, Vinous, and Wine Spectator, among others. Need advice on finding the perfect wine to pair with your dish? Click here for our exclusive Sommelier. Free for Grand Cru customers.
| Packing information | Box |
|---|---|
| Type of Wine | Red |
| Country | Spain |
| Region | Castilla y Leon |
| Appellation | Bierzo |
| Icons | Icon Spain & Portugal |
| Winery | Raul Perez |
| Grape | Mencia |
| Biological certified | No |
| Natural wine | No |
| Vegan | No |
| Vintage | 2019 |
| Drinking as of | 2024 |
| Drinking till | 2032 |
| Alcohol % | 12.5 |
| Alcohol free/low | No |
| Content | 0.75 ltr |
| Oak aging | Yes |
| Sparkling | No |
| Dessert wine | No |
| Closure | Cork |
| Parker rating | 96 |
| Tasting Profiles | Complex, Mineraal, Rood fruit, Strak, Tannines |
| Drink moments | Barbecue, Iets te vieren, Met vrienden, Romantisch |
| Sommy Pairing Beschrijving | De 2019 Raúl Pérez El Cerro de Valdecañada is een strakke en minerale wijn met een verfijnd smaakprofiel van fris rood fruit, kruidige hints en een duidelijke steenachtige mineraliteit. Door zijn transparante en precieze karakter past hij uitstekend bij gerechten met rijke smaken zoals rundvlees, wild en gevogelte, vooral wanneer ze bereid worden met eenvoudige, pure technieken zoals grillen of slow cooking. De wijn combineert het beste met gerechten die niet te zwaar gekruid zijn, zodat de minerale en frisse tonen mooi naar voren komen, bijvoorbeeld een geroosterde eend of een rundertartaar. Dankzij de subtiele structuur en de uitgesproken frisheid versterkt deze wijn de smaken van het vlees zonder te overheersen, waardoor iedere slok een ware smaaksensatie wordt. |
Parker
The Wine Advocate
RP 96
Reviewed by:
Luis Gutiérrez
Release Price:
$200
Drink Date:
2023 - 2030
I like the 2019 El Cerro de Valdecañada, which is cleaner and more approachable. In general, the character of the 2019 vintage is rounder, but even so here there's no glycerin; it's pure bones without meat, but this is less austere than 2018. It's an expression of austerity that's a little more approachable. 600 bottles produced.
Raúl Pérez doesn't stop. Beyond the huge range of wines I tasted, he has more—the R+D wines under the RaúlPérez label, and he has FOUR whole new projects, of which I tasted only Valdecañada (from Ponferrada). The Valdecañada project started in 2008/2009 when he bought a winery in the zone of Ponferrada (Cabildo) that came with to hectares of vineyards. The grapes were added to the Ultreia wines, but he saw the potential to achieve lower alcohol and more freshness and decided to start separating them in 2015. It's a zone with schist and slate soils. The wines that age in that winery are all aged under a veil of flor yeast, which allows him to work with very little to no sulfur. The style of the wines is quite different from the other wines from Pérez. There are three very different zones in Bierzo—Corullón, Valdecañada and Valtuille—different soils and altitudes, and he now works in two of them.
He tends to favor 2020 against 2019, but it's difficult to generalize. 2020 is easier, more immediate, similar to 2010.
Published: Jan 31, 2022
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua...
Exclusive Content
Sign in to unlock professional wine reviews from world-renowned critics
Raúl Pérez is without a doubt the most mediatic winemaker in all of Spain today. However, his wines are almost impossible to find! Everyone talks about it, but few have already tasted them. Raúl is present in numerous appellations and regions, not only in Spain, but also in South Africa, Portugal, South America.
We have been following Raúl since 2000; at that time he was still working as an oenologist at the Castro Ventosa family estate in Valtuille de Abajo. He also worked as an oenologist-consultant for other domains in Bierzo. He refined the Mencia to unprecedented heights, also helped Ricardo and Alvaro Palacios start their top domain, while constantly tasting and trying other wines from around the world. Raúl is a restless nature and his curiosity and passion take him further and further.
Between 2005 and 2007 he left the family domain and left for a wine odyssey. In a few years he made a name for himself and became a real 'star' in the wine world. The common thread in his work is the recovery of vieilles vignes from indigenous grape varieties and the making of authentic wines with a lot of character and personality. Or to put it in his own words, "I'd rather make an undrinkably bad Galician wine, but at least let it be a Galician wine." He has therefore already vinified dozens of wines in countless different regions (mostly in the northwest of Spain, and also beyond), but which have never been marketed. He tests, he tries, and often fails. Of course, this way of working brings him a lot of experience, with which he will later be able to get the most out of one grape variety or one region.
Today he makes or contributes to more than 80 wines. In the end, he more or less settled himself by renovating two of his own mini-bodegas: one in the Tierra de León region, in the village of Valdevimbre, and another in his native Bierzo, where he is in the village of Salas de los Barrios. own Ultreia's, the absolute essence of Mencía. Raúl always works organically and as pure as possible. It uses the minimum of SO2. The wines we get from him are always in minimal quantities and we hardly ever know what we are going to get, from what year and how much ... That is Raúl in all.
Food Pairings
De 2019 Raúl Pérez El Cerro de Valdecañada is een strakke en minerale wijn met een verfijnd smaakprofiel van fris rood fruit, kruidige hints en een duidelijke steenachtige mineraliteit. Door zijn transparante en precieze karakter past hij uitstekend bij gerechten met rijke smaken zoals rundvlees, wild en gevogelte, vooral wanneer ze bereid worden met eenvoudige, pure technieken zoals grillen of slow cooking. De wijn combineert het beste met gerechten die niet te zwaar gekruid zijn, zodat de minerale en frisse tonen mooi naar voren komen, bijvoorbeeld een geroosterde eend of een rundertartaar. Dankzij de subtiele structuur en de uitgesproken frisheid versterkt deze wijn de smaken van het vlees zonder te overheersen, waardoor iedere slok een ware smaaksensatie wordt.
Click on a category to discover delicious recipes that pair perfectly with this wine.
Do you already have a dish in mind?
Let our AI sommelier help you find the ideal wine for your dish
Start the Sommy Wine Advice ToolDiscover Wine Trivia
Sign in to unlock fascinating facts about this wine and expand your knowledge.
Sign InDescription
Tight and restrained Bierzo with a focus on tension, transparency and terroir expression.
Raúl Pérez Winery
Raúl Pérez is considered one of Spain's most influential and idiosyncratic winemakers. Based in Bierzo, he works with old vineyards, minimal intervention, and a strong focus on provenance. His wines often focus on tension, freshness, and structure, with a style that deliberately deviates from ripeness or extraction. In addition to his renowned Ultreia wines, Pérez develops small-scale projects in which he explores specific zones and soils individually. His top wines, however, are almost impossible to find! Everyone talks about them, but few have ever tasted them. The common thread in his work is the recovery of old vines from native grape varieties and the creation of authentic wines with plenty of character and personality. Or, to put it in his own words: "I'd rather make an undrinkably bad Galician wine, but at least let it be a Galician wine."
More information about this winery can be found under the Winery tab.
Region, climate and location
El Cerro de Valdecañada originates from the Ponferrada area of Bierzo, an area with a relatively cool microclimate and distinct Atlantic influences. The Valdecañada zone distinguishes itself within Bierzo by its location and soil composition, which produce wines with lower alcohol, greater freshness, and a pronounced mineral tension.
Vineyards
The vineyards are situated on slate and schist soils, which directly contribute to the wine's taut and mineral character. Raúl Pérez acquired these plots in 2008 and, starting in 2015, decided to vinify the grapes separately to better express the unique character of Valdecañada. Yields are very low, and the production of this wine is limited to approximately 600 bottles, all numbered. This is a collector's item.
Grape varieties and composition
The wine is made from Mencía grapes. In this context, the grape isn't ripe or generous, but rather taut and transparent, emphasizing structure, acidity, and mineral expression rather than fruit concentration.
Harvest, vinification and maturation
The grapes are harvested by hand and carefully selected. Vinification involves minimal intervention, with the wine aging in a separate cellar in Valdecañada. The wines are aged under a veil of flor, which provides protection from oxidation and allows for the use of very little to no sulfur. This approach results in a distinctly dry, precise, and cleanly structured wine.
Color, smell and taste
The wine has a transparent ruby red color. The aroma is restrained and taut, with notes of red fruit, spices, and a distinct mineral component reminiscent of wet stone and slate. On the palate, the wine is dry and linear, with pronounced tension and freshness. The fruit remains in the background, giving way to structure, acidity, and an almost ascetic precision. The texture is light yet concentrated, with a long, dry finish carried primarily by minerality and finesse. The style is austere, yet less austere than in cooler vintages, making the wine more accessible without losing its character.
Summary of professional reviews
Luis Gutiérrez of The Wine Advocate awarded the wine 96 points and described it as cleaner and more accessible than previous vintages, with a pure, pared-down style without glycerin or excess. He emphasized the combination of austerity and precision, yet with more approachability than the more rigorous 2018. The very limited production and distinct provenance make this wine a characterful and distinctive expression of Bierzo.
The full review texts can be found in the Professional Reviews tab.
If available, you'll find the official fact sheet and additional information about this fine wine in the "Attachments" tab. We'll automatically send you this information when you order this wine. The wine is stored in our climate-controlled Wine Warehouse, and if you pick it up, you'll often receive a nice discount. You'll see your discount immediately when you select "Pick up" at the checkout page. We're located in Dordrecht, right next to the A16 motorway, with ample parking. Click here for our address.
You can read the full wine reviews from Parker, Suckling, Vinous, and Wine Spectator, among others. Need advice on finding the perfect wine to pair with your dish? Click here for our exclusive Sommelier. Free for Grand Cru customers.
Specifications
| Packing information | Box |
|---|---|
| Type of Wine | Red |
| Country | Spain |
| Region | Castilla y Leon |
| Appellation | Bierzo |
| Icons | Icon Spain & Portugal |
| Winery | Raul Perez |
| Grape | Mencia |
| Biological certified | No |
| Natural wine | No |
| Vegan | No |
| Vintage | 2019 |
| Drinking as of | 2024 |
| Drinking till | 2032 |
| Alcohol % | 12.5 |
| Alcohol free/low | No |
| Content | 0.75 ltr |
| Oak aging | Yes |
| Sparkling | No |
| Dessert wine | No |
| Closure | Cork |
| Parker rating | 96 |
| Tasting Profiles | Complex, Mineraal, Rood fruit, Strak, Tannines |
| Drink moments | Barbecue, Iets te vieren, Met vrienden, Romantisch |
| Sommy Pairing Beschrijving | De 2019 Raúl Pérez El Cerro de Valdecañada is een strakke en minerale wijn met een verfijnd smaakprofiel van fris rood fruit, kruidige hints en een duidelijke steenachtige mineraliteit. Door zijn transparante en precieze karakter past hij uitstekend bij gerechten met rijke smaken zoals rundvlees, wild en gevogelte, vooral wanneer ze bereid worden met eenvoudige, pure technieken zoals grillen of slow cooking. De wijn combineert het beste met gerechten die niet te zwaar gekruid zijn, zodat de minerale en frisse tonen mooi naar voren komen, bijvoorbeeld een geroosterde eend of een rundertartaar. Dankzij de subtiele structuur en de uitgesproken frisheid versterkt deze wijn de smaken van het vlees zonder te overheersen, waardoor iedere slok een ware smaaksensatie wordt. |
Professional Reviews
Parker
The Wine Advocate
RP 96
Reviewed by:
Luis Gutiérrez
Release Price:
$200
Drink Date:
2023 - 2030
I like the 2019 El Cerro de Valdecañada, which is cleaner and more approachable. In general, the character of the 2019 vintage is rounder, but even so here there's no glycerin; it's pure bones without meat, but this is less austere than 2018. It's an expression of austerity that's a little more approachable. 600 bottles produced.
Raúl Pérez doesn't stop. Beyond the huge range of wines I tasted, he has more—the R+D wines under the RaúlPérez label, and he has FOUR whole new projects, of which I tasted only Valdecañada (from Ponferrada). The Valdecañada project started in 2008/2009 when he bought a winery in the zone of Ponferrada (Cabildo) that came with to hectares of vineyards. The grapes were added to the Ultreia wines, but he saw the potential to achieve lower alcohol and more freshness and decided to start separating them in 2015. It's a zone with schist and slate soils. The wines that age in that winery are all aged under a veil of flor yeast, which allows him to work with very little to no sulfur. The style of the wines is quite different from the other wines from Pérez. There are three very different zones in Bierzo—Corullón, Valdecañada and Valtuille—different soils and altitudes, and he now works in two of them.
He tends to favor 2020 against 2019, but it's difficult to generalize. 2020 is easier, more immediate, similar to 2010.
Published: Jan 31, 2022
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua...
Exclusive Content
Sign in to unlock professional wine reviews from world-renowned critics
Wijnhuis
Raúl Pérez is without a doubt the most mediatic winemaker in all of Spain today. However, his wines are almost impossible to find! Everyone talks about it, but few have already tasted them. Raúl is present in numerous appellations and regions, not only in Spain, but also in South Africa, Portugal, South America.
We have been following Raúl since 2000; at that time he was still working as an oenologist at the Castro Ventosa family estate in Valtuille de Abajo. He also worked as an oenologist-consultant for other domains in Bierzo. He refined the Mencia to unprecedented heights, also helped Ricardo and Alvaro Palacios start their top domain, while constantly tasting and trying other wines from around the world. Raúl is a restless nature and his curiosity and passion take him further and further.
Between 2005 and 2007 he left the family domain and left for a wine odyssey. In a few years he made a name for himself and became a real 'star' in the wine world. The common thread in his work is the recovery of vieilles vignes from indigenous grape varieties and the making of authentic wines with a lot of character and personality. Or to put it in his own words, "I'd rather make an undrinkably bad Galician wine, but at least let it be a Galician wine." He has therefore already vinified dozens of wines in countless different regions (mostly in the northwest of Spain, and also beyond), but which have never been marketed. He tests, he tries, and often fails. Of course, this way of working brings him a lot of experience, with which he will later be able to get the most out of one grape variety or one region.
Today he makes or contributes to more than 80 wines. In the end, he more or less settled himself by renovating two of his own mini-bodegas: one in the Tierra de León region, in the village of Valdevimbre, and another in his native Bierzo, where he is in the village of Salas de los Barrios. own Ultreia's, the absolute essence of Mencía. Raúl always works organically and as pure as possible. It uses the minimum of SO2. The wines we get from him are always in minimal quantities and we hardly ever know what we are going to get, from what year and how much ... That is Raúl in all.
Food
Food Pairings
De 2019 Raúl Pérez El Cerro de Valdecañada is een strakke en minerale wijn met een verfijnd smaakprofiel van fris rood fruit, kruidige hints en een duidelijke steenachtige mineraliteit. Door zijn transparante en precieze karakter past hij uitstekend bij gerechten met rijke smaken zoals rundvlees, wild en gevogelte, vooral wanneer ze bereid worden met eenvoudige, pure technieken zoals grillen of slow cooking. De wijn combineert het beste met gerechten die niet te zwaar gekruid zijn, zodat de minerale en frisse tonen mooi naar voren komen, bijvoorbeeld een geroosterde eend of een rundertartaar. Dankzij de subtiele structuur en de uitgesproken frisheid versterkt deze wijn de smaken van het vlees zonder te overheersen, waardoor iedere slok een ware smaaksensatie wordt.
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