El Rapolao is a widely renowned higher-altitude,cooler-exposition cru whose 7 hectares are now farmed by over 30 owners • The vines used for this bottling were planted in the 1970s on red clay and alluvial stones • (Nearly) 100% Mencía, somewhat unusually for Raúl! • Fermented with whole clusters in oak vat with long post-fermentation maceration • raised one year in used 225L and 500L barrels • unfined and unfiltered
Info
Producer:
Vintage:
2022
Country:
Spain
Region:
Castilla Y Leon
Appellation:
Bierzo
Variety:
Mencia-based blend
Color:
Red
Farming Practice:
Practicing Organic
Sizes Available
| Full Bottle | ES-VIZ-20-22 | 6/750ml |
Press & Reviews
Tim Atkin, MW
Score
93
Date
2024-10-04
"A very warm and ripe wine with intense dark fruit and characteristic mint and forest aromas typical of the paraje. The sweet fruit reflects the warm vintage but there is significant acidity that drives the wine and brings great energy. Aging is undertaken in a mix of foudres and barrels which don,t interfere with the fruit, rather they frame it, and tannins are punchy and a touch rustic, again very much of the zone. A powerful and concentrated wine. 2024-30"
Vinous
Score
95
Date
2025-02-25
"The 2022 El Rapolao Lomas de Valtuille is 100% Mencía from Valtuille, fermented with whole clusters and aged in 500-liter barrels. Its classic Mencía aromas, though restrained, lead to an agile, compact palate. Fine-grained tannins and bright acidity add tension and grip, with whole-cluster fermentation adding aromatic complexity. The finish is sanguine and precise, delivering finesse, herbal notes and vibrant energy in Raúl Pérez's signature style. The 2022 vintage truly showcases the winemaker's expertise."
Wine Advocate
Score
93
Date
2024-06-20
"The 2022 La Vizca¡na El Rapolao is also dark and ripe, reflecting the very warm and dry conditions of the year. It has the grapes from the same plot they always used‡now their property‡plus another plot that has some more Alicante Bouschet. It fermented with 100% full clusters. The wine from the original plot matured in used barrels, and the new (which is old) plot matured in an used foudre. The idea is to move all of the wines to foudre; but they find that the wines get reduced, so they are going slowly. It has some oak and a sensation of high ripeness. The wine is clean but feels quite ripe and has black rather than red fruit and an earthy touch with notes of licorice and pepper. It has abundant, slightly dusty tannins. There are some 9,000 bottles."