Raul Perez & Antoine Graillot ‘Encinas’

This is one of Raul Perez’s many project collaborations. He works with many of the top winemakers in the world to create ‘project’ wines that have winemaking influence from both partners. Antoine Graillot is the son of the icon, Alain Graillot in the Northern Rhone and the partnership sees them make Mencia in Raul’s hometown of Bierzo with influences from Antoine; using a cement tank to make the wine and then large oak foudres for ageing (‘Encinas’ means ‘oak’ in Spanish). De-stemmed by hand, it comes from three single vineyards in the famous Valtuille (rich, clay soils) and Otero which has schist soils (providing high acidity and vibrance).

The wine is incredibly pure. Meaty, voluptuous savoury notes on the nose. In the mouth, red cherry flavours with a fresh crunch balance the complex meatiness; rich with a mouth-coating texture, structure and fine tannins. It can stand up to and is brilliant with richer meat dishes – chicken, duck, mushrooms, pheasant and game.