Raul Perez Valdecanada Mencia, Bierzo, Spain 2018 Sori San Lorenzo The 2020 La Mission Haut-Brion

The 2020 La Mission Haut-Brion is a brilliant effort that exhibits a level of balance and integration that are impressive in such a powerful young Bordeaux

1-hectare parcel of vines in Mareuil-sur-Ay planted in 1964

along with high acidity

likely thanks to a dollop (7%) of Cabernet Franc

Raul Perez Valdecanada Mencia, Bierzo, Spain 2018 Sori San Lorenzo The 2020 La Mission Haut-BrionValdecaada is Ral Prez's high elevation village cuve a field blend grown on schist at altitude in the hills above Ponferrada, and a wine quite unlike anything in his Ultreia or La Vizcana projects. Predominantly Menca with a meaningful proportion of old vine Palomino, fermented with whole bunches and raised in neutral barrique, it trades power for precision: suave and tense, with a perceptible stoniness through the mid palate and a savory salinity