2023 Raul Pérez Ultreia Saint Jacques

Raúl Pérez is currently without a doubt the most media-rich winemaker in all of Spain. However, his wines are almost impossible to find! Everyone talks about them, but few have tasted them. Raúl is present in countless appellations and regions, not only in Spain, but also in South Africa, Portugal, and South America. The common thread in his work is the recovery of old vines from indigenous 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." He has vinified dozens of wines in countless different regions (mostly in northwestern Spain, but also beyond), but they have never been released. He tests, he tries, and very often fails. This way of working naturally gives him a great deal of experience, which later enables him to get the most out of one grape variety or one region.

Today, he makes or helps make over 80 wines. He's also recently settled down, establishing 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 makes his own Ultreias, the very essence of Mencía, in the village of Salas de los Barrios. Raúl always works organically and as purely as possible. He uses the minimum amount of SO2.

The Ultreia Saint Jacques is a 100% Mencia and is Raul Pérez's base wine, named after the road to Santiago de Compostela. The wine is aged for nine months in large French oak casks. The Ultreia Saint Jacques has a beautiful, fresh, bright ruby red color in the glass. The nose reflects this freshness, but also bursts with red fruit, complemented by earthy, mineral notes, as befits a good Mencia, and floral notes on the finish. 94/100 Parker

Our regular customers know we're big fans of the wines from this region, made from Mencia (or the white Godello), such as those from Perez and Val de Sil . The continental influences and style give the wines a Burgundian signature and offer incredible value!

FACT: The wine is stored in our climate-controlled Wine Warehouse, and if you pick it up, you'll also receive a nice discount. We're located right next to the Rijksweg with ample parking. Click here for the address.