2023 Saint Jacques Bierzo, Raúl Pérez, Ultreia

• Style: Bright, juicy Mencía with silky tannins
• Taste: Raspberry, blackberry, floral lift, crisp acidity
• Food: BBQ & grilled dishes; stews & braises; beef & steak; game
• Occasion: Weeknight; Sunday lunch
• Serve: 13.5% ABV, bone-dry, chill lightly

In the Glass — Tasting Notes

Immediate floral lift and a burst of raspberry and blackberry announce a wine made for the table. The palate is where it truly sings: fine-grained tannins silk across the tongue while lifted acidity drives the juicy berry character through to a crisp, clean finish. At 13.5% alcohol and bone-dry with just 1.4g/L residual sugar, this is the kind of red that makes you want another sip, then another glass.

The Winery — Raúl Pérez, Ultreia

Born and raised in the Bierzo village of Valtuille de Abajo, Raúl Pérez is widely regarded as one of Spain's most talented winemakers, with family roots in these vineyards stretching back to the 1750s. His Ultreia collection—from the Latin for "let's go further"—blends old-vine fruit, most over 100 years old, from his own organically farmed plots alongside carefully sourced material from trusted growers. The 2023 vintage was exceptionally cool and fresh, giving thin-skinned Mencía precision without heaviness. Field-picked across more than 100 separate plots over a month, each vineyard was vinified separately with 80% whole-bunch fermentation and 45 days of skin maceration in used oak. Indigenous yeasts and gentle cellar handling—no aggressive extraction—preserve the characteristic finesse and crunchy, alive quality that defines this wine.

At Your Table — Food Pairing & Serving

Drink this alongside roasted lamb, grilled meats, hard cheese like Manchego, or anything with a savoury, slightly charred edge. The blend also includes Alicante Bouschet, Trousseau, and native white varieties, all certified organic and vegan-friendly. Lithe and refreshing enough to sustain across the meal rather than overwhelm it, this sits at the heart of why Bierzo has become a darling of sommeliers and serious drinkers. If you're exploring Spain's red wines beyond the usual suspects, this is a superb introduction to what makes Mencía so compelling.