Raul Pérez - Bierzo Ultreia 'La Claudina' 2023

Raúl Pérez Pereira is universally considered to be one of the world’s most visionary winemakers. Since he produced his first vintage for his family’s winery in 1994 at the age 22, he has been in the forefront of the conversation about what has been called “The New Spain”. In 2005, he left his family business to strike out on his own, creating Bodegas y Viñedos Raúl Pérez, which quickly became the point of reference for the Bierzo appellation. In the intervening years, he has expanded his sphere of activity to include the appellations of Rías Baixas, Ribeira Sacra and Tierra de León, but his heart and his home remain in Valtuille de Abajo, the village in Bierzo where his family has been tending vines for well over 300 years.

In addition to numerous other accolades, Raúl was named “Winemaker of the Year” by German publication Der Feinschmecker in 2014 and “Best Winemaker in the World” for 2015 by the French publication Bettane+Desseauve. In the February 2018 Decanter, Master of Wine Pedro Ballesteros wrote, “Raúl Pérez is the archetype of the intuitive winemaking genius.” A picture of Raúl in that same article is captioned, “Is this the best winemaker in the world?” Raúl would certainly not self-apply any of these superlatives. In fact, his genius is far exceeded by his humility and generosity of spirit. That humility comes through in his wines. These are not “winemaker” wines so much as they are unadulterated expressions of the villages and vineyards from which they hail.

This 100% Godello is sourced from a tiny parcel planted in 1971 in the paraje of La Cova de la Raposa in Valtuille de Abajo on sandy clay. Spontaneously fermented in a single 1500L foudre. Aged for about a year in foudre with no sulfur or racking, in cooler years underneath a natural layer of flor. Practicing Organic.

James Suckling #52 Top 100 Wines of Spain 2025: "Citrus, orchard fruit, iodine and a subtle bitterness. The medium- to full-bodied palate shows salinity and stone fruit with tension between flavor and length. From sandy soils in Villegas, this is aged in barriques." - 95 Points, James Suckling

"The 2023 Ultreia La Claudina is austere and mineral and smells of wet rocks. It comes from a dry place in a rainy year, on sandy soils that deliver elegant wines. It aged in a well-seasoned and neutral 2007 oak foudre. This was bottled without malolactic and has a very austere, stony mouthfeel, with restraint and elegance. This is the small-grained Godello from Bierzo, different from the one from Valdeorrras that has larger grapes. 2,500 bottles produced." - 96 Points, Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

Producer: Raul Perez 

Country: Spain

Region: Castilla y León

Varietal: Godello

Appellation: Bierzo

Vintage: 2023

Size: 750ml