Cesar Marquez Bierzo Terroir Pack 2017

Wine Type:
Style of Wine:	Various
Country of Origin:	Spain
Grape Varietal:	Mencia and Godello
Bottle Format:	750mL
Case Size:	6 bottles
$263.70 Per Case ($43.95/btl) Add to Cart

Tasting Notes

César Marquez Perez has deep roots in Bierzo. His family founded the Castro Ventosa winery in 1752 and they still own it today. Thanks to that long history, he has access to many of the top sites in the region. He has grown up in the vines and wineries in Bierzo and has learned from his elders, including his uncle Raul Perez highly regarded as Spains best winemaker. Now he has his own project. He launched his solo project in 2015 with 4 wines. Today he makes 7 wines from 6 HA of 80 to 120 year old vines. Cesar is a part of the new wave of Spanish vignerons who have a knowledge of the greater world of wine and also a respect for and connection to the land around him. He is finding old vines in uniques sites and vinifying them separately to showcase the ability of Mencía to transmit terroir. He is farming organically and using partial whole cluster, reductive winemaking and low sulfur. He is making wines that are not just great for Bierzo or Spain, but that stand along the best wines from any region or country.

Cesar Marques La Salvacion 2017 (2 Btl) 93 - Robert Parker

La Salvacion comes from 100+ year old Godello vines from 2 sites: Villafranca, south facing vineyard at 600 meters with sandy clay soils. Argaza is an east facing vineyard at 700 meters with clay soils. Organic farming and hand harvested. The two sites are fermented together in open top 500L barrels with native yeast. After fermentation, wines are aged in 4 year old 500L barrels for one year. No racking during this year. After one year the wines are bottled unfiltered only 800 bottles produced. La Salvacion is lush with excellent balance and character. Precise mineral and fine with a long seductive finish. Extremely high ageing potential reminiscent of Grand Cru Burgundy

Cesar Marques Parajes 2017 (2Btl) 92 - Robert Parker

This is the appellation wine. A blend of 7 different villages around the Bierzo appellation. A great introduction to the style of César Márquez and one of the best values around. It is made up of 85% Mencia, 7% Alicante Bouschet, 8% White grapes and others (Old field blend) Vines are 80 – 120 years old.
Coming from a number of vineyards throughout the appellation representing the various soils (clay, alluvial, sand, slate) and exposures of Bierzo. Elevations are from 450 to 780 meters with Organic farming. The grapes are hand harvested. All plots are fermented separately with native yeasts in open barrels of 225L or 500L. Depending on the plot, from 15% to 100% whole cluster. Maceration and fermentation last from 15 to 60 days with no
temp control. After fermentation, wines are aged in 225L and 500L barrels of 4 to 7 years old for one year. No racking during this time blended and bottled after one year. Beautiful bouquet floral with blueberry and a herbaceous Irony undertone. The palate is super fine and precise excellent minerality and a long dry finish

Cesar Marques Las Firmas 2017 (2 Btl) 93 - Robert Parker

Made up of 85% Mencia, 10% Alicante Bouschet, 5% White grapes and others (Old field blend)
old vines 80 – 120 years old. From two vineyard sites in Valtuille. El Llano: East facing, 550 meters, Sandy soils with some clay and rock. El Foco: West facing, 500 meters, Sandy soils with some clay and rocks. Organic farming, hand harvested. The two sites are fermented together in open top foudre with native yeast and 100% whole cluster. After fermentation, wines are aged in 4 year old 500L barrels for one year. No racking during this year. After one year the wines are bottled unfiltered. A much richer lusher style than Parajas without sacrificing any of its elegance and freshness. A bit closed off will need some decanting to get those floral fruity aromas appear as well as soften it up a bit. An excellent example of what Bierzo has to offer not only in the short term but the long haul. Only 560 Bottles made.

Critical Praise