Bierzo Tinto, 'Ultreia St. Jacques'

Score

16

"Strong rubbery nose. The palate has fresher black fruit but it still has a dominant tense, reduced character that makes it tannic and rubbery. One to age. (RH)"

Score

94

"The 2021 Ultreia 'St. Jacques bottling from Ra£l P,rez is yet another excellent wine from these very old vines. The wine is a Menc¡a-dominated field blend made from ancient vineyards, planted between 1900 and 1940, so even the 'young vines here are more than eighty years of age! The wine is made with a high percentage of whole clusters and aged in a mix of various-sized, old oak casks and puncheons, as well as some cement tanks. The 2021 St. Jacques comes in at 13.5 percent octane and delivers a refined aromatic constellation of cassis, pomegranate, tree bark, espresso, a lovely base of dark soil tones, discreet Menc¡a botanicals and a smoky topnote. On the palate the wine is deep, complex and full-bodied, with impeccable focus and balance, a fine core of black fruit, excellent soil undertow and grip, buried tannins and a long, poised and classy finish. This is certainly approachable today, but will be even better if the tannins are allowed at least a handful of years to soften up further. It is an excellent and very elegant vintage for this bottling! 2024-2075."

Score

93

Score

91

"Crushed blackberry and boysenberry fruit is dark and ripe in this red, accented by hints of dried lavender, woodsy spices and a subtle underpinning of loamy earth and mineral. Fresh, with light, creamy tannins. Drink now through 2026. 10,000 cases made, 3,000 cases imported."