2016 Ultreia de Valtuille
Market price
Buying options
Tasting notes
Deep, bright-rimmed ruby. Powerful red and blue fruit, incense, exotic spice and licorice aromas on the expressive nose; a smoky mineral flourish adds urgency. Densely packed boysenberry, cherry cola and spicecake flavors show outstanding definition and pick up a hint of star anise on the back half. Broad and seamless in character, finishing with impressive energy and smooth, even tannins that add framework and subtle grip.
Critic scores
Average Score
Jancis Robinson MW
Luis Gutiérrez, Wine Advocate
More reviews and scores
There are only 1,000 bottles of the 2016 Ultreia Valtuille (the new name, as all labels have been simplified and cleaned up, and some of the names have even been shortened). The crop was greatly reduced because of mildew, and the grapes are a lot more concentrated, with more tannin and structure, and they had to do a much longer élevage, up to 24 months in barrique. Despite its concentration and power, it has great freshness and perfume. You don't find excess tannin, and it seems like the time in barrel has really polished the edges. It's really outstanding.
Perez explains: ‘In 2005 (after working for the family business) I bought this plot. Looking back, I should never have bought this plot because my idea of winemaking is quite different now. I used to make wines with lots of oak and alcohol, the Spanish norm.’ The 1.5 ha vineyard usually yields 3,500 kg of fruit but only 800–1,000 kg in 2017. Paler than the St Jacques. Mid crimson. Sweet and fragrant. Light and fragrant. Damson juice! Transparent and quite a bit of acidity. Round and bloody. (JR)