Castro Ventosa Valtuille Vino de Villa 2024

Castro Ventosa Valtuille Vino de Villa 2024 is a village red made by Raúl Pérez in Bierzo, Spain. It reflects the unique character of the village of Valtuille de Abajo, using grapes from century-old vines on sandy and clay slopes.

Tasting Profile — 2024 Vintage

Nose
The 2024 vintage shows great aromatic precision and elegance. Intense floral notes stand out, especially violets and rose petals, wrapped in fresh red fruit such as cherry and raspberry. Delicate hints of wild herbs and a light, spicy touch of white pepper follow.

Palate
On the palate the wine is taut, fresh and extremely balanced. Vibrant acidity brings energy and food-friendliness, while the tannins are fine and polished, recalling chalk or silk. The oak is discreetly integrated, favouring purity and transparency of fruit.

Finish
The finish is long and precise, marked by an earthy, ferrous minerality very typical of the soils of Valtuille de Abajo, leaving a clean, elegant impression.

Critics' First Impressions

Raúl Pérez describes 2024 as a classic vintage, in which Mencía comes across as more elegant, Atlantic and restrained in alcohol, recalling historic years in the region.

Robert Parker (The Wine Advocate) Critic Luis Gutiérrez tends to reward cooler, more Atlantic vintages in Bierzo, valuing the purity and restrained alcohol (13%) shown in 2024.

James Suckling: His team has already endorsed this year's profile through the Mencía Joven 2024 (92 points), highlighting the excellent energy and focus on crunchy fruit that extends to the Vino de Villa.

The Tasting Comment: Suckling's team praises the 2024 vintage for avoiding any over-ripeness. The wine is described as "energetic and crunchy", with very clean, focused red fruit complemented by the linear, precise structure that defines great terroir reds.

Tim Atkin MW: Atkin is the most generous critic of Raúl Pérez's village wines, praising their "Burgundian" structure and the finesse of their textured tannins.

Guía Peñín: The Spanish guide focuses on varietal typicity and oak integration, two of this vintage's greatest strengths.