César Márquez Parajes 2023

€14.90

VAT included

César Márquez Parajes 2023

César Márquez Parajes 2023 is a red produced from grapes from 9 villages in El Bierzo: Valtuille, Arganza, Toral, San Pedro de Olleros, Villadecanes, Valdecañada, San Clemente, San Juan de Paluezas and Hornija. Each plot was vinified separately, preserving the identity and natural presence of the white grape varieties mixed in the vineyards. 2023, with a cold winter, irregular spring and moderate summer, recorded 900L/m² of rainfall, resulting in balanced and fresh grapes. The harvests, carried out in the rain, produced fluid, elegant and aromatic wines, reminiscent of the classic harvests of 2001 and 2021.

Vinification: Manual harvest over 16 days, with separate fermentations per plot and around 20% whole grapes. The grapes were gently trodden, allowing spontaneous fermentation with indigenous yeasts and maceration for 17 to 60 days. After pressing, the wine aged for 12 months in 225 to 600L barrels, while the Valtuille portion matured in a 5,000L foudre. Bottling took place on 29 January 2025.

Tasting Notes: Bright cherry-red colour with violet reflections. Intense aroma of fresh red fruits (strawberry, cherry, raspberry), delicate flowers, herbaceous and spicy nuances and a touch of earthy minerality. On the palate, it is light and juicy, with lively acidity, fine tannins and a long, elegant and mineral-fruity finish, revealing the balance and freshness typical of Bierzo.

Grape Varieties: 85% Mencía, 7% Alicante Bouschet and 8% white grapes

Wine Type: Red Wine
Format: 0,75L
Vintage: 2023
Country: Spain
Region: Bierzo
Robert Parker: 94
James Suckling: 95
Vinious: 93

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Dried lemons and herbs on the nose, with a subtle, savory edge. The palate is medium-to full-bodied, offering rich yet restrained white fruit and mineral tension. Very expressive, with plenty unfolding in the glass and a delicate saline note in the finish. Drink or hold.

The 2023 Parajes is his regional red, a blend of different places, soils, expositions and altitudes (between 450 and 780 meters above sea level). It's a real representation of El Bierzo, with grapes from 45 different plots in nine villages. The vines range in age from 80 to 142 years of old and are planted with field blends—approximately 85% Mencía, 10% Alicante Bouschet and 5% other white and red varieties like Bastardo, Sousón and Estaladiña. There are always some full clusters, depending on vintage and plot, and part of the wine ferments in stainless steel and part of it is in bins, as he ferments by plot. The wine matured in 225-, 400- and 500-liter oak barrels for one year. It has moderate ripeness and 13.08% alcohol, a pH of 3.58 and 5.34 grams of acidity, making it lower in alcohol than the 2022 and with more freshness. It's serious and balanced, elegant and fine-boned. It gets very close to the village red this year. This is a bargain. 34,000 bottles produced. It was bottled in January 2025.

César Márquez Parajes 2023 was aged for one year in barrels. It has aromas of white pepper, pink pepper and fresh red fruits, preceding an intense and juicy palate, marked by tension, liveliness and the fresh character typical of Bierzo. It is a well-crafted, accessible and flavourful wine.