2022 Raúl Pérez Ultreia Villegas

The 2022 Raúl Pérez Ultreia Villegas is a rare, small‑production red from Bierzo that captures the purest, most elegant side of Mencía. Drawn from a particularly sandy parcel in Villegas, it shows remarkable finesse, freshness and precision, with just over 1,000 bottles produced. This bottling reflects Raúl Pérez’s low‑intervention philosophy and his relentless pursuit of expressing old vines and native varieties with authenticity and personality.

Tasting Notes
In the glass, Ultreia Villegas 2022 is a luminous, translucent ruby with a delicate, almost Burgundian hue—an immediate sign of its finesse and moderate alcohol. The nose is remarkably expressive and fine-boned: wild red berries, raspberry and cranberry mingle with black cherry, fresh herbs (think thyme and wild fennel), and a subtle floral lift of violets and rose petals. Underneath, gentle spice, a hint of pepper, and very discreet old-oak nuances add complexity without ever dominating. On the palate, this is all about elegance and texture. The attack is soft and supple, gliding into a silky, almost velvety mid-palate where pure red and blue fruits are framed by ultra-fine tannins and vibrant, mouthwatering acidity. The moderate 13.08% alcohol keeps it beautifully balanced and refreshing, while the slow-ripened fruit delivers depth without weight. The finish is long, graceful and savory, with lingering notes of herbs, spice and crushed stone. While already highly enjoyable in its youth for its perfume and finesse, this wine has the structure and acidity to age gracefully for 8–12 years, gaining further complexity, earthy tones and tertiary nuances with time in bottle.

Production
Ultreia Villegas comes from a low-yielding, sandy portion of a historic vineyard in Bierzo, a cool, Atlantic-influenced corner of northwestern Spain where Mencía thrives on slopes of mixed clays, sands and decomposed slate. The sandy soils in this specific parcel encourage slow, even ripening and naturally moderate alcohol levels while preserving vibrant acidity. Raúl Pérez farms these old vines with meticulous care and minimal intervention, harvesting by hand at low yields to capture maximum concentration and balance. In the cellar, whole clusters are used for fermentation, which takes place in old barrels, preserving fruit purity and emphasizing aromatic lift. Nothing is added or corrected; the wine then ages in used 225‑liter oak barrels under a naturally occurring layer of flor, which protects it from oxidation and allows Raúl to work with minimal SO₂. The entire 2022 harvest of Ultreia Villegas filled just three old barrels, resulting in roughly 1,000 bottles of this highly sought‑after, artisanal cuvée.

Food & Serving
This refined Bierzo red pairs beautifully with dishes that echo its elegance rather than overpower it: think grilled or roast poultry, herb‑rubbed pork, duck breast with berries, lamb chops with rosemary, or earthy dishes featuring mushrooms, lentils and roasted root vegetables. It also works superbly with charcuterie, semi‑hard cheeses and delicately spiced tapas. Serve at 14–16°C (57–61°F) to highlight its aromatic complexity and freshness. A gentle decant of 30–45 minutes is recommended in its youth to let the flor‑influenced nuances and whole‑cluster complexity unfurl; as the wine ages, shorter decanting or even serving straight from the bottle can preserve its more delicate, evolved aromas.

Producer
Raúl Pérez is widely regarded as one of Spain’s most visionary and influential winemakers, often described as the country’s most talked‑about vigneron—and one of its most elusive, given the tiny quantities he produces. Originally from Bierzo, he has been instrumental in redefining the region’s reputation, proving that Mencía from old vines and distinctive parcels can rival the world’s great terroir-driven reds. Beyond Bierzo, he consults and collaborates across numerous Spanish appellations and even in South Africa, Portugal and South America, always focusing on recovering old vineyards of indigenous varieties and vinifying them in the most authentic, minimally interventionist way possible. Working with whole clusters, old barrels, native yeasts and minimal SO₂—often aging his wines under a natural flor—he has helped inspire a new generation of winemakers and has earned a cult following among sommeliers and enthusiasts for the profound character, individuality and sense of place expressed in his Ultreia wines.

We deliver within 2 - 6 business days. You can choose whether it should be to a parcel shop or home delivery. Free delivery to both parcel shops and your front door. Our store partners primarily use GLS, DPD, UPS and DHL for deliveries. We cover deliveries to the majority of countries in Europe.