Bierzo Tinto, 'Ultreia St. Jacques'

Score

93+

"The truly impressive 2018 Ultreia Saint Jacques transcends its price category. They destemmed more grapes because they fermented it in the oak vats they bought from Vega Sicilia to use in the new winery, where it macerated for two months and then matured in used barrels for nine to 10 months. The secret is to use very good grapes from very good vineyards. The wine is clean, precise and fresh, and the oak is super-subtle, almost unnoticeable. The palate reflects a fluid wine of pleasure, a red of thirst. This is the wine where they have invested more, and 2018 has to be the finest vintage to date. They did 150,000 bottles of this in the outstanding 2018 vintage. It was bottled in October/November 2019."

Score

92

Score

90

"Fermented in whole bunches in open-top oak vats, this ages in a mix of foudres, barriques and cement. It starts off green, then develops some plummy notes to fill out its silken texture and gamey scents. For roast goat."