Ultreia, Cova de la Raposa, Bierzo, 2021

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 clay-rich 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 is 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, mineral feel, as time has gone on the 2021 has developed a lusher mouthfeel with crackling blackcurrant, licorice and red plums. The south exposition and richer soils always produces ripe, pulling tannins which bring shape and definition to this rather lavish wine. Just 1 ex-Hermitage barrel of 500L was produced, equating to 600bts.