Cesar Marquez Parajes Mencia Bierzo 2021 750ml

Details

Expert Review – Vintage 2021

Luis Gutirrez of the Wine Advocate writes 94 Points | The super affordable 2021 Parajes really 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 and therefore planted with a field blend with a majority of Menca but also around 10% Alicante Bouschet and 5% whites or other reds like Bastardo, Souson or Estaladia. It fermented by plot in stainless steel and plastic bins with some full clusters, indigenous yeasts and variable macerations, ranging between 15 and 60 days. Seventy-five percent of the volume matured in 225-, 400- and 500-liter barrels and the rest in a 5,000-liter oak foudre. It’s aromatic, floral, perfumed and elegant, with a medium-bodied palate and very fine tannins. It is round and juicy, with very fine tannins and depth and complexity, corresponding to a much more expensive wine. A bargain. He harvested quite early in 2021, and the wines have moderate alcohol. 29,504 bottles produced.”

Winemaker Description

Csar Marquez Prez hails from a family with deep roots in the Bierzo wine region. Historical deeds in the town of Valtuille de Abajo date the ancestral origin of the family in this region to 1752. Cesars focus is mainly on micro-vinifications of old-vine Godello and Menca from parajes (small plots).

These parajes yield widely differing characteristics depending on their soil composition (mixtures of sand, clay, decomposed granite, and stone) and the orientation and slope of the vineyards.

Ultimately, Cesar envisions making single-parcel vinifications and is laying the foundation to map this region in a manner parallel to the Cru appellations of the world.

Juicy red wine with aromas of fresh red and black fruit, vegetal notes and spicy hints.