In a fascinating 2019 Decanter interview written by Pedro Ballesteros Torres MW, Raúl Pérez was described as one of the world’s greatest winemakers, a supremely gifted innovator and, in winemaking terms at least, an important influencer. So my expectations were high when invited for a tasting and lunch with the great man. I was not to be disappointed.
See tasting notes and scores for 12 latest wines from Raúl Pérez
Short and somewhat unkempt, Pérez is a man of huge charisma and conviction. His long beard and forthright gaze lend something of the Old Testament prophet to his demeanour – an evangelist maybe; and his lifestyle is appropriately peripatetic.
Over a fantastically chaotic lunch I tasted the fruits of some of his joint venture projects. These include, nearest to home in Galicia, Rodrigo Méndez Ricardo. While further afield, Pérez has worked with the likes of Dirk Niepoort in the Douro, Maxime Graillot in Crozes Hermitage and Eben Sadie in South Africa.
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Simon Field MW tastes the latest wines from Raúl Pérez
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