$40.00
People like Raul Perez and Palacios have catapulted the region to stardom well over a decade ago pathed the way for young producers such as Cesar Marquez. Bierzo has also been lucky in that of all the areas where Mencia is widely planted it is the most continental in terms of climate, giving an extra layer of fruit richness and ripeness that's help it leap ahead of the likes of Ribeiro or Ribera Sacra. Cesar is simply the nephew of the famed Raul Perez with whom he did a solid apprenticeship before renting a corner of Raul's winery to begin his own project. Cesar's wines are all organically farmed, he works with lots of whole bunches, indigenous yeasts and avoids new oak. Under his careful handling, there's amazing clear differences to be found between his various village and single vineyard wines.
Why do we like it?
The superb 2021 Parajes overdelivers in this cool year. It was produced with grapes from up to 45 different plots in nine villages, trying to capture the essence of Bierzo. This regional red mixes soils and altitudes, mostly very old plots. Seventy-five percent of the volume matured in 225, 400 and 500L barrels and the rest in a 5000-Lfoudre. It's aromatic, floral, perfumed and elegant, with a medium-bodied palate and very fine tannins. It is round and juicy, with flavours of dark berries and earth, it shows such great depth and complexity
Grape Mencia
Country Spain
Region Bierzo
Vintage 2021
