2018 Finca Míllara Ribeira Sacra El Prohibido

Responsibly Farmed
Hidden Gem
Geeky

ATTN: Pinot Noir and Cabernet Franc lovers! If you are looking to branch out and try something new, this is your answer. This wine is silky with light tannins and a smooth finish.

Organic farming practices, hand-harvested, native yeast fermentation, and less than 600 cases produced.

Red
  • Tasting Notes cherry, pomegranate, red flower, pepper, dried herbs
  • Variety 85% Mencia, 15% Souson
  • Region Spain, Galicia
  • Volume 750ml
  • Alcohol Volume 12.5%
  • Table Talk Raúl Pérez Pereira is universally considered to be one of the world’s most visionary winemakers. Words like genius and legend are used to describe him often and a few have even named him the best winemaker in the world.

$28.00

Out of stock

Raúl Pérez Pereira is universally considered to be one of the world’s most visionary winemakers. Since he produced his first vintage for his family’s winery in 1994 at the age 22, he has been in the forefront of the conversation about what has been called “The New Spain”. In 2005, he left his family business to strike out on his own, creating Bodegas y Viñedos Raúl Pérez, which quickly became the point of reference for the Bierzo appellation. In the intervening years, he has expanded his sphere of activity to include the appellations of Rías Baixas, Ribeira Sacra and Tierra de León, but his heart and his home remain in Valtuille de Abajo, the village in Bierzo where his family has been tending vines for well over 300 years.

In addition to numerous other accolades, Raúl was named “Winemaker of the Year” by German publication Der Feinschmecker in 2014 and “Best Winemaker in the World” for 2015 by the French publication Bettane+Desseauve. In the February 2018 Decanter, Master of Wine Pedro Ballesteros wrote, “Raúl Pérez is the archetype of the intuitive winemaking genius.” A picture of Raúl in that same article is captioned, “Is this the best winemaker in the world?” Raúl would certainly not self-apply any of these superlatives. In fact, his genius is far exceeded by his humility and generosity of spirit. That humility comes through in his wines. These are not “winemaker” wines so much as they are unadulterated expressions of the villages and vineyards from which they hail.

Finca Míllara was built on the vision of Fernando de Santiago, an undertaking he kicked off nearly 20 years ago. He’s spent years rehabbing and replanting vines in Ribeira Sacra. They now are maintained as they were; worked by hand on the impossibly steep slopes above the Miño River without the use of herbicides.

Part of what can be referred to as “Green” Spain, Galicia is located in the upper north west corner of the country. Wine production here dates back to the time of the Romans. It is one of the coolest areas producing refreshingly crisp Albariño with strong mineral characteristics as well as elegant red wine from the Mencía grape. Galicia boasts five denominated wine regions (DOs) including the infamous Rías Baixas, the closest DO to the Atlantic ocean.

Spain has a long history of wine production, but its wines have recently come into distinction with international markets. With three broad climatic zones, and six geographical regions, this country boasts the highest vineyard acreage in the world. However, their yields are consistently relatively low due to vine spacing and limited water use. Spain is home for top varieties like Tempranillo, Garnacha, Monastrell and other indigenous grapes including Albariño, Airén, and Mencía.