Cesar Marquez Parajes de Bierzo 2021

'Parajes' means 'places' in Spanish, an apt name for a wine that seeks to show Bierzo's - a small region in Spain's north-western corner - true sense of place. A blend of 85% Mencía, 7% Alicante Bouschet, and 8% other indigenous varieties, the grapes are sourced from a number of plots around the region that winemaker César Márquez feels best offer a snapshot of the vintage. Aromatic, fresh, and elegant, this red sings of pure red fruit, minerality, and alluring floral notes. Exceptional value. 

94/100 - The super affordable 2021 Parajes really overdelivers in this cool year. It was produced with grapes from up to 45 different plots in nine villages, trying to capture the essence of Bierzo. This regional red mixes soils and altitudes, mostly very old plots and therefore planted with a field blend with a majority of Mencía but also around 10% Alicante Bouschet and 5% whites or other reds like Bastardo, Souson or Estaladiña. It fermented by plot in stainless steel and plastic bins with some full clusters, indigenous yeasts and variable macerations, ranging between 15 and 60 days. Seventy-five percent of the volume matured in 225-, 400- and 500-liter barrels and the rest in a 5,000-liter oak foudre. It's aromatic, floral, perfumed and elegant, with a medium-bodied palate and very fine tannins. It is round and juicy, with very fine tannins and depth and complexity, corresponding to a much more expensive wine. A bargain. He harvested quite early in 2021, and the wines have moderate alcohol. 29,504 bottles produced. It was bottled in December 2022. - Luis Gutiérrez, Wine Advocate