Ultreia, Cova de la Raposa, Bierzo, 2020

Cova de la Raposa (The Foxhole) is not produced every year. It is a tiny 0.2HA warm, steep single plot in Valtuille planted on compact, sandy soils at 500-550m elevation, fully south facing. A very old vineyard totalling 1.1HA. The dominant variety across the vineyard is actually Palomino. Raúl’s original family estate (Castro Ventosa) owns 0.5HA, the rest split across a further 3 owners – an example how fragmented and Burgundy-like Bierzo vineyard ownership can be. A blend of Mencia 90% and Bastardo 10%. Darker fruited with a rocky, smoky mineral feel, crackling blackcurrant, licorice and red plums. The south exposition and sandy soils always seems to produce very ripe, gently pulling tannins which bring shape and definition to the rather more lavish wine. Just 1 ex-Hermitage barrel of 500L was produced, equating to 600bts.