2023 Raul Perez "Ultreia" Godello, Bierzo, Spain

ABOUT THE WINE
Sourced from old vines rooted in clay, slate, and quartz soils in Valtuille de Abajo, the 2022 “Ultreia” Godello reflects both the mountainous Bierzo terroir and Raúl Pérez’s signature light touch. The fruit is hand-harvested and whole-cluster pressed, with spontaneous fermentation occurring in used oak barrels and foudres. The wine is then aged on fine lees for several months without bâtonnage, resulting in a wine of nuanced texture and aromatic lift. The nose weaves citrus, orchard fruit, and floral hints with a faint smoky mineral thread. On the palate, it balances freshness and depth, with flavors of pear skin, lemon verbena, and a hint of almond. Ideal with grilled fish, Galician-style octopus, or soft cheeses, this is a Godello that combines quiet power with crystalline definition.

ABOUT THE PRODUCER
Raúl Pérez is widely regarded as one of Spain’s most visionary and intuitive winemakers. Based in the Bierzo region of northwestern Spain, Pérez champions native varieties—particularly Mencía and Godello—and crafts wines with minimal intervention and maximum site expression. His “Ultreia” line, named after a traditional pilgrim’s greeting on the Camino de Santiago, focuses on small parcels and old vines, emphasizing purity and transparency. Farming is organic and largely hands-off, while winemaking relies on indigenous yeasts, gentle extraction, and extended aging in neutral vessels. Pérez’s wines are deeply rooted in place, offering complexity without artifice. The “Ultreia” Godello is a benchmark for the variety—refined, age-worthy, and unmistakably expressive of Bierzo’s mountainous landscape.