Castro Ventosa Valtuille Villegas 2020/2022

Valtuille Villegas 2022 is a prestigious red wine from the D.O. Bierzo, made by Bodegas Castro Ventosa under renowned winemaker Raúl Pérez. It stands out for its elegance and floral profile, and is often compared to Burgundy for its delicacy.

The Wine Advocate
RP 98

Reviewed by: Luis Gutiérrez

The 2022 Valtuille Villegas comes from a vineyard on sandy soils near Raúl Pérez's house, in a spot that tends to produce more elegant wines. It fermented with 100% whole clusters and had a 60-day maceration in oak vats. It's a floral, elegant wine, a constant trait of this vineyard, sheltered by some pine trees — which means the grapes get less sun.

On the palate it's medium-bodied, with very fine tannins and excellent balance. It has 13.29% alcohol, a pH of 3.58 and 5.09 grams of acidity. An elegant, delicate and precise wine.

1,300 bottles were produced, from two 500-litre barrels. It was bottled in May 2024.

According to José Peñín, the Valtuille Villegas 2020 has an elegant cherry-red colour, clear and bright, of medium-low intensity reflecting its delicacy and restrained extraction. The nose is very expressive, dominated by balsamic notes and wild aromatic herbs, complemented by sweet and hot spices from ageing. The floral side, marked by violets, combines harmoniously with fresh red fruit, creating a highly complex aromatic profile.

On the palate it shows freshness, precision and excellent fruit expression. Lively, perfectly integrated acidity gives balance and elegance, while fine, ripe tannins give a silky texture. The finish is long and persistent, with a subtle balsamic note reflecting the singular character of the Villegas terroir.