Versos De Valtuille Paraje Casares D.O. Bierzo 2022

Their finest single-vineyard red is the 2022 Versos de Valtuille Casares, from the highest-altitude vineyard they have. There are some white grapes in the field blend, and they fermented together with the Mencía with 15% to 20% full clusters in 7,500-liter oak vats with indigenous yeasts; the wine matured in 500-liter oak barrels for one year. This seems to be the most complete of their bottlings. It’s complex, elegant and balanced, with complexity, depth and a silky texture with very elegant tannins. It has a moderate 13% alcohol with integrated acidity and comes through as balanced. It was bottled in February 2024. Drink date: 2024-2032. Score – 95. (Luis Gutiérrez, robertparker.com, June 20, 2024)