César Márquez La Salvación 2024

César Márquez works in D.O. Bierzo in Castilla y León, on the Galician borders where Godello has its home alongside Mencía. This organically farmed white is aged twelve months in oak barrels. Bierzo's mix of slate and clay soils and its sheltered mountain position, with warm days and cool nights, lets Godello ripen to a fuller, riper style than the leaner Atlantic whites while keeping freshness through the diurnal swing. The long barrel ageing is central to the wine: slow oxygen exchange through the wood builds texture and integrates the fruit, adding vanilla and a toasted, nutty edge, while contact with the lees in barrel gives a creamy weight on the palate. The colour is bright lemon-gold. The nose shows white peach, pear and citrus over white flowers, with vanilla and a hint of hazelnut from the oak. The palate is medium-bodied and textured, with ripe orchard and stone fruit, a fresh acid line and a gently spiced, savoury finish. Serve at around 10 to 12 degrees in a white wine glass. It suits richer fish, poultry and pork.