Castro Ventosa Valtuille La Vitoriana 2019Castro Ventosa Valtuille La Vitoriana 2019

Valtuille La Vitoriana 2019 is a prestigious red made by Castro Ventosa under acclaimed winemaker Raúl Pérez, in Bierzo, Spain.

The Wine Advocate
RP 97

Reviewed by: Luis Gutiérrez

The second vintage of La Vitoriana here, the 2019 Valtuille La Vitoriana, fermented in a 1,000-litre oak vat and matured in a 500-litre oak barrel — unlike the 2018, which aged in a smaller barrel. Perhaps the ratio of oak to wine worked well for this label, which is more elegant and harmonious, fresher and less concentrated. Ripeness is a little lower here than in the 2018; the old, low-yielding vines tend to ripen quickly, giving a short window to pick. The wine finished with 13.4% alcohol and is medium-bodied with fine, chalky tannins. Truly impressive.

620 bottles were produced.

Falstaff gave 98 points to Castro Ventosa Valtuille La Vitoriana 2019, highlighting it as a wine of remarkable elegance and great depth.

In the glass it's a luminous ruby with delicate violet glints. The nose impresses with its finesse and sophistication, interweaving aromas of dark berries and black cherry with mineral nuances and subtle notes of fine spice.

On the palate it's structured and complex, yet balanced by vibrant freshness. The tannins are silky and perfectly integrated, making for a harmonious, enveloping tasting.

The finish is long and persistent, marked by strong mineral expression, a clear reflection of Valtuille's characteristic soils.

With this 98-point score, it stands out as one of the highlights of the vintage in Bierzo, even surpassing Robert Parker's score of 97 points.