Retour Bodega y Viñedos Castro Ventosa - Do Bierzo - El Castro de Valtuille - Mencia Joven - Red - 2023
COUNTRY/REGION: Spain
DESIGNATION: Do Bierzo
COLOR: Red
VINTAGE: 2023
GRAPE VARIETY: 85% Mencia, 8% Alicante Bouschet & 7% de cépages blancs divers.
ALCOHOL: 13 vol.
CONTENT: 75 cl
The tasting
Color Bright purplish red.
Nose A bouquet of ripe, fresh, macerated red and black fruits with a touch of spice.
Palate This cuvée delivers a rich, flavorful wine through a short maceration of these powerful grape varieties. It reveals a delicate finesse and a harmonious drinkability.
The sommelier's advice
Temperature Serve at 14 to 16°C.
Food Lamb tagine with prunes, herb-crusted roast beef, goat or Manchego cheeses.
Cellar ageing From now until 2030
The estate and the wine
The estate and the wine A collaboration at the highest level! When Raúl Pérez, the rising star of Bierzo, joins forces with César Marquez, a master of winemaking, the result is nothing short of spectacular at the region’s oldest winery, Castro Ventosa.

Nestled among ancient vineyards on a former Roman site, these two trailblazers of Spain’s new winemaking generation continue to drive innovation and renewal in the Spanish wine scene. Drawing from a wealth of old vines and native grape varieties, they craft fresh, precise, and impeccably refined cuvées that embody the spirit of Bierzo.
Wine From a cooler vintage, the 2023 Red Bierzo El Castro de Valtuille Mencia Joven stands out with its smooth, polished profile and vibrant charm. It reveals primary aromas of red berries and subtle floral notes, offering precision and balance in its expression. With a refined structure that is both fresh and ripe, it’s ready to enjoy now but also has the potential to age gracefully over the next 4 to 5 years. Rated 92/100 by Parker.
Vinification Hand harvested for 25 days. Fermentation with indigenous yeasts. Aged for 3 months in 5000-liter tuns.
AWARDS
AWARDS Robert Parker: 93/100