Is Raul Perez the best winemaker in the world? This was the question posed by Decanter in this article from March of 2019. I think a very strong argument could be made for that case, and I can say I've never had a wine made by Raul that I didn't love. The new release of his Ultreia Saint Jacques is exquisite, and I honestly consider it to be one of the top 2 or 3 red wine values in the world. With great pricing in place, I highly recommend you grab a bottle (or 6) and see if you agree with me.
I've stocked and featured the last 4 or 5 vintages of this wine, and I can say with 100% confidence that the 2020 is one of the best I've had. Furthermore, this Mencia-based red wine gives you a great introduction to Raul's masterful winemaking style, and it won't break the bank. Rated 94 points by Robert Parker's Wine Advocate and more-than-deserving of every singe one of those points, I very much recommend you give it a try.
2020 Raul Perez Ultreia Saint Jacques
94 points Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
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If you've not been charmed by Spain's native Mencia grape yet, this is a great place to start. In the hands of a master like Raul Perez, this wine "scratches the itch" of many different palates. Think about a fuller-bodied Morgon meets a Loire Valley Cab Franc meets a Northern Rhone Syrah. The grape is a pure charmer, and I learned this firsthand at a Curate wine dinner a few years back where Raul was in the house. I will never forget this evening of fine food and wine.
Perez's Ultreia Saint Jacques is his "entry-level" wine, but trust me, there's nothing plebian about it. A blend of mainly Mencia with Bastardo (Trousseau) and Garnacha Tintorera (Alicante Bouschet) providing support, fermentation and aging occurs in older Vega Sicilia barrels. The resulting wine showcases heady notes of floral and spice-infused red fruits, damp earth, and mineral.
What I love about this wine is it's "not too light, not too heavy" personality. Luis Gutierrez of the Wine Advocate found the wine, "very tender and fruit-driven, primary and quite open." He went on to say it's "a little more Mediterranean, with aromatic herbs and a more powerful palate." Great notes Luis, but I'll add a few of my own too. This offers up generous and juicy notes of red and dark berries along with notes of violet, black pepper, earth, and super fine tannins. It just glides across the palate with ease and keeps me coming back for sip after sip.
What else is there to say? Buy some, especially if you like naturally-made, delicious reds made by highly-talented individuals. Trust me folks, this is a total no-brainer!
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Josh Spurling
Owner, Operator, Wine Monger
Table Wine Asheville