2023 La Vitoriana Bierzo, Raúl Pérez, La Vizcaína

• Style: Elegant, structured Spanish red
• Taste: Black cherry, violet, spice with silky tannins and lift
• Food: Roasted meats, game, aged cheese, grilled dishes
• Occasion: Sunday lunch, date night
• Serve: 16–18°C, decant 30 mins

In the Glass — Tasting Notes

Black cherry and violet rise from the glass with subtle spice notes that speak to the slate and clay soils of Valtuille de Abajo. The palate reveals velvety tannins framing the fruit without dominating, while lifted acidity keeps the wine moving from first sip to length. At 13.5% alcohol, this is Mencía in its most Loire-like register—gastronomic, poised, alive with freshness.

The Winery — Raúl Pérez, La Vizcaína

Raúl Pérez is one of Spain's most respected winemakers, born and raised in the Bierzo village of Valtuille de Abajo where his family has cultivated grapes since the 1750s. After working at his family estate, he launched his own projects in 2005, dedicating himself to preserving the region's viticultural character and unlocking what its vineyards can offer. His La Vizcaína range focuses on individual plots around Valtuille de Abajo. The 2023 vintage—one of Bierzo's finest on record—captures this commitment: ungrafted vines planted in the 1880s, farmed organically and selected for their clarity rather than overripeness. The wine spends eleven months in used French oak foudres after a 40-day skin maceration, fermented with indigenous yeasts and whole-bunch contact to build structure without heaviness.

At Your Table — Food Pairing & Serving

This is a wine built for the table, not the trophy shelf. Pair it with roasted lamb, grilled game, BBQ and grilled dishes, stews and braises, or aged hard cheeses; it will shine just as confidently alongside fine chorizo or mushroom risotto. The bracing acidity and silky tannins make it equally at home at a Sunday lunch or date night, where its refinement complements both casual gatherings and more formal occasions. Explore our curated selection of Bierzo wines and discover more treasures from Spain for collectors seeking elegance over obvious power.