Castro Ventosa Valtuille Vino de Villa 2023
Castro Ventosa Valtuille Vino de Villa 2023 is a dry, medium-bodied red from Mencía, Alicante Bouschet (Bierzo, Spain), in the juicy, fruity reds style. Tannins are moderate and acidity fresh; oak influence is little. Good with roast pork, lamb, pizza, bolognese. Drink now or within 15 years (to about 2041). No need to decant. Critic score 94/100 (merchant-reported). Cheapest offer £15.18 at 8wines UK.
| Wine | Sweet | Body | From | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Guimaro Camino Real 2023 Guimaro · Galicia | £14.38 | |||
| Raul Perez Ultreia Saint Jacques Mencia 2023 Raul Perez · Bierzo | £16.46 | |||
| Michelini i Mufatto Valdesacia 2022 Michelini i Mufatto · Bierzo | £23.68 | |||
| Envinate Lousas Vina de Aldea 2024 Envinate · Galicia | £24.70 |
Drink it now or cellar for up to 15 years. No need to decant but best to open it half an hour before service. Castro Ventosa is a Spanish winery led by Raul Perez and located in the Bierzo wine region, specializing in the production of Mencia-based wines from old vineyards. Valtuille Vino de Villa is a blend of mostly Mencia, with small additions of Alicante Bouschet, Bastardo, and a mix of local white and red varieties. The grapes are sourced from various plots within the municipality of Valtuille, including La Rata, El Val, and Mata Los Pardos. Here, the centuries-old vines enjoy a cool Atlantic continental climate and are rooted in a mix of clay and sand soils with some stones. After manual harvesting, fermentation occurs spontaneously, and the wine macerates on the skins for approximately two months. The finished wine then ages in barrels of various sizes for a year. In the glass, the wine reveals a brilliant cherry-red color. On the nose, it releases a broad and fragrant bouquet with notes of cherry and strawberry, floral aromas, and delicate, perfectly integrated oak notes. On the palate, it is extremely elegant, balanced, round, and fresh. It has a silky mouthfeel and fine, smooth tannins. It is fruity, with a pleasant, well-balanced acidity and a long, refreshing finish. It is the perfect expression of Bierzo wines, offering excellent value and a good potential for aging. Try it with roast suckling pig.