César Márquez, Bierzo Parajes 2024

Why we love this bottle

César Márquez learned his trade the hard way, seven years at the side of his uncle Raúl Pérez, one of the men who put Bierzo on the map. Today he farms old vineyards in the green northwest of Spain, where Mencía grows mixed with other old varieties, just like it was planted a century ago. We love it because it feels like a walk through the valley, one small vineyard at a time.

Parajes means little places. The grapes come from old plots in nine villages, between 450 and 780 metres. Every plot is made separately and only blended at the very end, like a chef who finishes his sauce at the last moment. Raspberry, redcurrant and a pinch of white pepper. Light, juicy and fresh. A wine to share with friends.