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Producer : Bodegas Castro Ventosa
Region : Bierzo (Spain), Spain (Spain)
Bottle Per Case : 6 x 750 ml
Food Pairing : Red Meat, Roasted Vegetables, Soft Cheese
"The 2021 Valtuille La Cova de la Raposa comes from the lieu-dit that names the wine, where the soils are rich in sand, and which they have been vinifying separately since 2003. This south-facing vineyard is the first they harvest, as the orientation and the fact that the old vines only produce two to three clusters per vine make them ripen early. They used 40% full clusters for the native fermentation with 40 days of maceration. It matured in two 500-liter oak barrels for 12 months. It has moderate alcohol (12.43%) and ripeness with nice balance, a sleek mouthfeel and very fine tannins. This is a warm place that behaved quite well in the cooler 2021 vintage."
95 Points - Luis Gutierrez, Wine Advocate, August 2023
Bottles Per Case | 6 Pack |
---|---|
Point Score | 95 |
Cellaring | Drink Now or Cellar |
Sweetness | XD - Extra Dry See Sweetness Chart |
Bottle Size | 750 ml |
Producer | Bodegas Castro Ventosa |
Region | Bierzo (Spain), Spain (Spain) |
Alcohol | 13.2% alc./vol. |
Style | Subtle & fruity |
Vintage | 2021 |
Farming Method | Traditional |
Grapes | 100% Mencia |
Food Pairing | Red Meat, Roasted Vegetables, Soft Cheese |
Descriptors | Floral, Fruity |
Wine Type | Red |
Wood Presence | Oaked |
Body | Medium |
Price of Case | $539.94 |
Castro Ventosa was founded by the Perez family in 1752 and the family owns the estate ever since. The Perez family owns 75 hectares of Mencía vineyards in Bierzo making them the biggest owners of this varietal within the Bierzo D.O. The Bierzo appellation is made of 5000 hectares with 2500 ha planted with white varietals and 2500 ha planted with Mencía and there are 5000 landowners within the appellation.
Raúl Pérez, who now runs the winery, is a figurehead for Bierzo wines in Spain. Castro Ventosa produces three different Mencía; Valtuille, El Castro de Valtuille and El Castro de Valtuille “Joven Mencia”. Mencía is indigenous from Bierzo and some suspect that it is an ancient clone from Cabernet Franc.
The Bierzo D.O. is located in the northwest of the Province of Castilla y León, just above Portugal. Castilla was one of the original Spanish regions to unite against the Moors in the Middle Ages and thus became the north-west stronghold for the Catholics. The region has a great historical past with many remains that testify of its rich history.
The winery is situated in the village of Valtuille de Abajo at the foot of the slope of the Castro, the ruin of an ancient Roman fort that dominates the village of Valtuille de Abajo. Some of Castro Ventosa’s vineyards are planted on that same hill just around the ruins, the name Castro Ventosa means 'The Windy Castle'. The Valtuille is made from five parcels situated in Valtuille de Abajo with pre-phyloxeric vineyards that are located on the only sandy soil found in Birezo.
Bierzo is in a small valley surrounded by mountains. This exceptional geographical position gives the area a specific microclimate. The low altitude prevents frost in winter and the warm summer months provide ideal conditions to grow exceptional vines. The soil is a mixture of quartzite and slate.
It's important to remember that taste is subjective, and personal preferences play a significant role.
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