Castro Ventoso Bierzo Mencia Joven 2021

If you haven’t heard of Spain, Bierzo, now may be the time to familiarize yourself. Big things are happening there and it’s my belief that it will soon be a household name the same way that Rioja is today.

The region is championed by Spain’s greatest wine figure, Raúl Pérez, who is nothing short of a visionary. The man knows the land like nobody else, and early on, tapped the high-altitude and ancient vines of Bierzo as a “sleeping giant” that will one day be huge.

Today’s wine itself comes from Raul’s nephew, César Márquez Pérez, who Wine Advocate just labeled, “among the finest producers in the region” who has “produced an amazing collection of wines ”. After tasting his lineup at his winery, Castro Ventoso last week, I can firmly say that I agree.