César Márquez Pérez Valtuille 2024

César Márquez Pérez is a young Bierzo winemaker, nephew of Raúl Pérez, with a Burgundy-minded project focused on the typicity of Valtuille. He works old Mencía vineyards with different orientations and soils, here mostly the slate and clay over schist that mark this part of El Bierzo. The cool, hilly site and its wide diurnal range slow ripening and hold acidity, keeping the wine fresh and light at 12.5 percent. Fermentation with native yeasts and a measure of whole bunches gives a peppery, floral lift and fine tannin, while twelve months in used French oak allow gentle oxygen exchange that adds texture without obvious wood flavour. The wine is bright ruby with aromas of red berries, cherry and plum over crushed rose, dried herbs and a slate-like mineral note. The palate is light to medium bodied with fine tannin, lively acidity and a fresh, savoury finish. Serve at 15 to 16 degrees in a Burgundy glass. It pairs with duck, roast chicken and mushroom dishes.