{"title":"Cesar Marquez","description":"\u003cp\u003eCésar Márquez has moved from \"rising star\" to a definitive leader of the Spanish wine scene. While he cut his teeth alongside his legendary uncle, Raúl Pérez, César’s own project is a singular mission to map the diverse terroirs of Bierzo with the obsessive detail of the Côte d’Or. It is a vision that earned him the title of Tim Atkin’s 2025 Bierzo Winemaker of the Year.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHis approach is built on \"vertical\" tension and transparency. Working with centenary vines - some over 140 years old - César vinifies each tiny parcel separately to protect the distinct voice of the site. From iron-rich clays to rare high-altitude limestone, his wines are celebrated for their \"crunchy\" fruit and incredible mineral drive.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cblockquote\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\"César Márquez is my Bierzo Winemaker of the Year for 2025... crafting wines with real finesse and a 'vertical' poise.\" — Tim Atkin MW\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\"He is already one of the most exciting prospects in Spain, structuring his line-up in Burgundian fashion.\" — Luis Gutiérrez (Wine Advocate)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/blockquote\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWith production often limited to just a few barrels, these are some of the most sought-after bottles in Spain. From his 100-point Villegas debut to his crystalline Godellos, César is proving that these ancient hills produce wines that stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the finest in the world.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"2023-cesar-marquez-la-salvacion-godello","title":"2023 Cesar Marquez La Salvacion Godello","description":"\u003cblockquote\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\"César Márquez is my Bierzo Winemaker of the Year for 2025... he is crafting wines with real finesse and a 'vertical' poise that marks him as a leader of the region's new generation.\"\u003cbr\u003e- Tim Atkin MW\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/blockquote\u003e \n\u003cp\u003eCésar Márquez is easily one of the most exciting names in Spanish wine right now, and La Salvación is the bottle that started his white wine journey back in 2015. Sourced from a centenary plot in Arganza, which is the cooler, mountainous northern edge of Bierzo, this isn't your average fruity Godello. It’s a wine of serious structure and mountain energy.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe fruit comes from 100 year old vines that were actually regrafted from Mencía onto Godello decades ago, sitting on a unique mix of clay and slate at 700 meters. César ferments and ages the wine in large 500L French oak barrels, skipping malolactic fermentation to keep that piercing acidity front and center.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOn the nose, it’s all about flinty reduction, dried lemons, and wild herbs. The palate is where it gets interesting. It’s medium to full bodied with a rich, talc-like texture, but it’s underpinned by a steely backbone and some massive acidity. It feels powerful yet restrained, finishing with a salty, moreish tang that just keeps going.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis 2023 release is a total knockout, picking up a massive 96 point score from the Tim Atkin Bierzo Report. It’s a sophisticated, mineral drenched white that takes a little time to open up in the glass, but once it does, it's easily one of the most compelling Godellos out there. If you’re into white Burgundy or high end Chablis, you'll love this.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cblockquote\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e96 points\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\n\n\"A wine of precision with a morish saline finish... perfectly balancing the richness on the palate.\"\n\n\n- Beth Willard (Tim Atkin Bierzo Report)\u003c\/p\u003e \u003c\/blockquote\u003e\n\n\u003cblockquote\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e96 points\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\n\n\"Very expressive, with plenty unfolding in the glass... rich yet restrained.\"\n\n\n- James Suckling\u003c\/p\u003e \u003c\/blockquote\u003e","brand":"Cesar Marquez","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":42862776385579,"sku":"2023 Cesar Marquez La Salvacion Godello","price":69.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2572\/9722\/files\/2023CesarMarquezLaSalvacionGodello.png?v=1769731400"},{"product_id":"2023-cesar-marquez-parajes-del-bierzo-mencia","title":"2023 Cesar Marquez Parajes del Bierzo Mencia","description":"\u003cblockquote\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\"César Márquez is my Bierzo Winemaker of the Year for 2025... he is crafting wines with real finesse and a 'vertical' poise that marks him as a leader of the region's new generation.\"\u003cbr\u003e- Tim Atkin MW\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/blockquote\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf you’re looking for a perfect entry point into the world of César Márquez, this is it. The Parajes is César’s \"regional\" red, but don't let that title fool you. It’s a massive undertaking that blends fruit from 45 different tiny plots across nine different villages. With vines ranging from 80 to a staggering 142 years old, it’s a living history of the Bierzo region in a glass.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAs is tradition in these ancient vineyards, this is a field blend. While it's mostly Mencía, there’s a good splash of Alicante Bouschet and small amounts of rare locals like Bastardo and Sousón. César ferments the plots individually to keep things precise, using a mix of stainless steel and oak barrels to find that perfect balance between fresh fruit and earthy structure.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 2023 vintage is all about freshness and elegance. On the nose, it’s super aromatic with notes of white pepper, pink peppercorn, and bright red berries. The palate is fine-boned and juicy, with that classic Bierzo tension that makes it so easy to drink. It’s a bit lighter in alcohol than the previous year, which really lets those floral and spicy details shine through.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt’s no surprise this wine is getting serious international attention - it was actually ranked No. 8 in James Suckling’s Top 100 Value Wines of 2025. Luis Gutiérrez from Wine Advocate also called it a \"bargain,\" and he’s spot on. It gets incredibly close to the quality of César’s more expensive village wines but at a much friendlier price point. It’s serious and balanced enough to age, but honestly, it’s so approachable right now that it’s hard to stay away from.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cblockquote\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e95 points \u0026amp; No.8 in James Suckling's Top 100 Best Value Wines in the World\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"Perfumed on the nose with dried flowers, violets and herbal nervy notes that add cohesion to the floral aspect... This is an exceptional entry level and tremendous value. Drink now.\"\u003cbr\u003e- James Suckling\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/blockquote\u003e\n\u003cblockquote\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e94 points\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cbr\u003e\"A real representation of El Bierzo... serious and balanced, elegant and fine-boned. This is a bargain.\" \u003cbr\u003e- Luis Gutiérrez (Wine Advocate)\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/blockquote\u003e\n\u003cblockquote\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e93 points\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cbr\u003e\"Well made, approachable and flavorful... intense and juicy with tension and fresh Bierzo character.\"\u003cbr\u003e- Joaquin Hidalgo (Vinous)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/blockquote\u003e","brand":"Cesar Marquez","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":42862839529515,"sku":"2023 Cesar Marquez Parajes del Bierzo Mencia","price":39.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2572\/9722\/files\/2023CesarMarquezParajesdelBierzoMencia.png?v=1769731388"},{"product_id":"2023-cesar-marquez-valtuille-mencia","title":"2023 Cesar Marquez Valtuille Mencia","description":"\u003cblockquote\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\"César Márquez is my Bierzo Winemaker of the Year for 2025... he is crafting wines with real finesse and a 'vertical' poise that marks him as a leader of the region's new generation.\"\u003cbr\u003e- Tim Atkin MW\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/blockquote\u003e \n\u003cp\u003eThis is César’s Vino de Villa, or village wine, and it’s a beautiful snapshot of Valtuille de Abajo. Sourced from five different parcels characterized by sandy soils, this 2023 is a real step up in refinement. While the Parajes gives you a look at the whole region, this bottle is all about the specific elegance and perfume that Valtuille is famous for.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe blend is roughly 85% Mencía with the usual suspects like Alicante Bouschet and Bastardo making up the rest. César used about 30% whole clusters during fermentation, which really pumps up the aromatics. On the nose, it’s incredibly pretty - think dried geraniums, rose petals, and pomegranate. It’s got that \"ethereal\" quality that Bierzo fans hunt for, where the wine feels light and graceful but still has plenty of depth.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOn the palate, it’s juicy and round with a fleshy texture of red cherry and raspberry fruit. Because it sits at a moderate 12.5% alcohol, the wine feels energetic and tense rather than heavy. There’s a nice little hit of licorice and herbal nuance on the finish that keeps it savory and complex.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBeth Willard gave it 95 points in the Tim Atkin report, noting its \"firm grip\" and impressive character. It’s a harmonious, fruit-driven red that captures the essence of the zone perfectly. If you want to see why Valtuille is considered the \"heart\" of Bierzo, this is the bottle to open.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cblockquote\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e96 points\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\n\n\"Subtle and refined, with a graceful finish... an ethereal character with delicate fruit.\"\n\n\n- James Suckling\u003c\/p\u003e \u003c\/blockquote\u003e\n\n\u003cblockquote\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e95 points\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\n\n\"A wine with lots of character that captures the essence of the zone... elegance and great depth.\"\n\n\n- Beth Willard (Tim Atkin Bierzo Report)\u003c\/p\u003e \u003c\/blockquote\u003e","brand":"Cesar Marquez","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":42863224487979,"sku":"2023 Cesar Marquez Valtuille Mencia","price":58.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2572\/9722\/files\/2023CesarMarquezValtuilleMencia.png?v=1769731375"},{"product_id":"2023-cesar-marquez-el-val-godello","title":"2023 Cesar Marquez El Val Godello","description":"\u003cblockquote\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\"César Márquez is my Bierzo Winemaker of the Year for 2025... he is crafting wines with real finesse and a 'vertical' poise that marks him as a leader of the region's new generation.\"\u003cbr\u003e- Tim Atkin MW\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/blockquote\u003e \n\u003cp\u003eThis is the \"unicorn\" of the lineup. With only 12 bottles available in Australia and a tiny total production of just 570 bottles, El Val is César’s top-tier white. It comes from an ancient, cool-climate parcel in Valtuille de Abajo that’s actually surrounded by red grapes. It’s a bit of an outlier, and honestly, it’s one of the most complete whites we’ve seen in years.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf you’re a fan of high-end white Burgundy, this is going to be right up your alley. It has that stunning, smoky \"struck match\" reduction on the nose, along with hints of flint, gunpowder, and toasted sesame. It’s incredibly complex, moving from green apple and salted lemon into more savory notes of praline and toasted macadamia as it sits in the glass.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe stats on this 2023 are pretty wild too. It’s got a massive nearly 8 grams of acidity, which gives it this electric, linear precision. It was fermented in a single 500 liter barrel and aged on lees without any stirring, which kept the wine focused and compact rather than heavy. The palate is concentrated and creamy, but it's that persistent, salty finish that really makes it stand out.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBeth Willard gave this 98 points in the 2025 Tim Atkin report, and it's easy to see why. It’s a mineral-drenched, high-tension Godello that is soon to be classified as a 'Viña Clasificada' - Bierzo's version of a Grand Cru site. This is a rare, precise, and utterly delicious wine that represents the very peak of what César is achieving.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cblockquote\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e98 points\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\n\n\"Marked by a real sense of energy and tension... an outstanding example in the category.\"\n\n\n- Beth Willard (Tim Atkin Bierzo Report)\u003c\/p\u003e \u003c\/blockquote\u003e\n\n\u003cblockquote\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e97 points\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\n\n\"A stunning nose... very Burgundian à la Coche-Dury. It's very tasty, with a salty twist in the finish.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/blockquote\u003e","brand":"Cesar Marquez","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":42878274895915,"sku":"2023 Cesar Marquez El Val Godello","price":299.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2572\/9722\/files\/2023CesarMarquezElValGodello.png?v=1769731419"},{"product_id":"cesar-marquez-mencia-masterclass-pack","title":"Cesar Marquez Mencia Masterclass Pack","description":"\u003cp\u003eThis is the definitive collection from the man Tim Atkin just named his 2025 Bierzo Winemaker of the Year. César Márquez isn’t just making wine; he’s leading a total revolution in Spanish viticulture, mapping out his home region with a level of detail and obsession that we usually only see in the heart of Burgundy.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSecuring his single-vineyard wines has become a genuine challenge as his global star rises. These are the \"cru\" expressions that have sent critics into a frenzy, including that monumental 100-point debut for the Villegas. They represent the absolute pinnacle of his work and are some of the most soulful, precise, and high-tension reds coming out of Europe right now.Because the production of these individual plots is so miniscule, this mixed pack is the only way to get your hands on all four cuvées.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe have managed to secure just 12 packs for Australia. This is a rare chance to own the complete 2023 \"prestige\" set from a producer who is officially at the top of his game.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e2023 Cesar Marquez El Rapolao Mencia\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e2023 Cesar Marquez Pico Ferreira Mencia\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e2023 Cesar Marquez Sufreiral Mencia\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e2023 Cesar Marquez Villegas Mencia\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e2023 Cesar Marquez El Rapolao Mencia\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cblockquote\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\"César Márquez is my Bierzo Winemaker of the Year for 2025... he is crafting wines with real finesse and a 'vertical' poise that marks him as a leader of the region's new generation.\"\u003cbr\u003e- Tim Atkin MW\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/blockquote\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf you’re a fan of Bierzo, you know El Rapolao is one of the most famous crus in the region. It’s a site that usually produces quite wild and powerful wines, but César’s 2023 take is all about refinement. Sourced from a centenary plot in the coldest part of the village, the soil here is packed with iron, which gives the wine a distinct, savory personality.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOn the nose, it’s a beautiful mix of forest herbs like thyme and lavender layered over red cherries and blueberries. Because of that iron-rich soil, there’s also a hint of olive tapenade and a ferrous, earthy depth that really sets it apart from the prettier village wines.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe palate is juicy and supple, but it definitely has that signature Rapolao structure. The tannins are fine-grained and firm, giving it a tight, linear focus that carries right through to a minty, lifted finish. César fermented this with about 30% full clusters and aged it in used 500 liter barrels to keep the fruit as the star of the show.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWith only 1,911 bottles produced for the entire world, this is a seriously limited expression of one of Spain's most legendary vineyards. It’s a wine of immense quality and focus, offering a velvety texture that masks a deep, complex core. It’s already drinking beautifully, but this is a collector's piece that has the stuffing to evolve for a decade or more.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cblockquote\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e96+ points\u003c\/strong\u003e \"A place with more rusticity, always a little earthier... lower in alcohol and with more freshness and acidity.\" - Luis Gutiérrez (Wine Advocate)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/blockquote\u003e\n\u003cblockquote\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e96 points\u003c\/strong\u003e \"Marked by fine-grained yet firm tannins and a focused thread of dark fruit... depth and exceptional balance.\" - James Suckling\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/blockquote\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.differentdrop.com\/products\/2023-cesar-marquez-el-rapolao-mencia\" title=\"2023 Cesar Marquez El Rapolao Mencia\"\u003eRead More\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e2023 Cesar Marquez Pico Ferreira Mencia\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePico Ferreira is a bit of a departure from the Valtuille-focused wines in the range. Sourced from a high-altitude, shady slope in the village of Corullón, these centenary vines grow on a rare mix of slate and clay. This specific site produces a wine that is noticeably more compact and \"stony\" than its peers, offering a level of tension and longevity that is truly world-class.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOn the nose, it’s subtle and floral, leaning into pomegranate, red cherry, and a hint of balsamic herbs. It’s the kind of wine that plays hard to get, remaining a little discrete at first before slowly revealing layers of flinty mineral detail. It’s an incredibly precise red, defined by that slate-driven energy that makes Corullón such a prized sub-region.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe palate is where you really feel the quality. It’s intense and juicy but held together by firm, fine-grained tannins that give it a serious sense of structure. Because it was aged in larger format oak, the fruit remains incredibly pure and focused, carrying right through to a long, flavorful finish.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWith only 1,980 bottles filled, this is another tiny production gem that has caught the eye of the world's top critics. Both Luis Gutiérrez and James Suckling have pinned near-perfect 97 point scores on this vintage, marking it as one of the definitive wines of the year. It’s a sophisticated, \"slow-burn\" Mencía that will easily reward those patient enough to cellar it for a decade or more.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cblockquote\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e97 points\u003c\/strong\u003e \"Subtle and floral... juicy, delicious and precise with subtle fruit in the firm and flavorful finish.\" - James Suckling\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/blockquote\u003e\n\u003cblockquote\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e97 points\u003c\/strong\u003e \"A little more discrete... abundant, slightly dusty tannins and long flavor.\" - Luis Gutiérrez (Wine Advocate)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/blockquote\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.differentdrop.com\/products\/2023-cesar-marquez-pico-ferreira-mencia\" title=\"2023 Cesar Marquez Pico Ferreira Mencia\"\u003eRead More\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e2023 Cesar Marquez Sufreiral Mencia\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cblockquote\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\"César Márquez is my Bierzo Winemaker of the Year for 2025... he is crafting wines with real finesse and a 'vertical' poise that marks him as a leader of the region's new generation.\"\u003cbr\u003e- Tim Atkin MW\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/blockquote\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf there is a \"white whale\" in the Bierzo region, it’s limestone. Less than 3% of the region’s soil is limestone-based, and Sufreiral is one of the very few wines that gets to call it home. Sourced from a tiny 100 year old plot in Toral de los Vados, this site is basically an anomaly in a sea of slate. The result is a wine with a totally different texture- chalky, fine-boned, and incredibly elegant.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBecause this vineyard sits on the southwest-facing side of the mountain at 620 meters, it catches a lot of light but stays fresh thanks to that limestone core. On the nose, it’s remarkably lively and nuanced. You’ll find bright red cherry and rose petals mixed with some really cool, savory notes like tomato vine and watermelon. It’s got a real Atlantic feel to it, being super fresh and mouthwatering.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOn the palate, it’s all about finesse. It’s fleshy but delicate, with a \"chalky\" tannic grip that feels more like talc than grit. César fermented this with about 35% full clusters to pump up that floral, minty perfume, then tucked it away in large 600 liter barrels for a year. It’s a very complete, harmonious red that feels more like a top-tier Burgundy than a traditional Spanish red.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe critics have gone absolutely wild for this vintage, with Wine Advocate and James Suckling both awarding it a massive 98 points. With only 1,940 bottles produced, it’s one of the rarest and most sought-after wines in César’s collection. It’s a vibrant, engaging bottle that really shows what happens when a master winemaker meets a truly unique piece of land.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cblockquote\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e98 points\u003c\/strong\u003e \"Awesome sense of balance on the delicate end of the spectrum... fleshy without excess.\" - James Suckling\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/blockquote\u003e\n\u003cblockquote\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e98 points\u003c\/strong\u003e \"Very complete, floral and nuanced, elegant and fine-boned... given the limestone soils.\" - Luis Gutiérrez (Wine Advocate)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/blockquote\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.differentdrop.com\/products\/2023-cesar-marquez-sufreiral-mencia\" title=\"2023 Cesar Marquez Sufreiral Mencia\"\u003eRead More\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e2023 Cesar Marquez Villegas Mencia\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cblockquote\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\"César Márquez is my Bierzo Winemaker of the Year for 2025... he is crafting wines with real finesse and a 'vertical' poise that marks him as a leader of the region's new generation.\"\u003cbr\u003e- Tim Atkin MW\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/blockquote\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAfter six years of patience and experimentation, César has finally released his first wine from the legendary Villegas paraje, and he’s certainly made an entrance. This debut hasn’t just turned heads; it has effectively set a new benchmark for the region, picking up a perfect 100-point score from Beth Willard in the 2025 Tim Atkin Bierzo Report.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Villegas site is widely considered the Grand Cru of Valtuille. It’s a unique 11 hectare patch characterized by pure sandy soils, which is quite a rarity on the Bierzo valley floor. This sand is the secret behind the wine's incredible \"ethereal\" feel. While many Bierzo reds lean into power and earth, Villegas is all about perfume, grace, and a \"talc-like\" finesse.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn the glass, the 2023 is intensely floral, bursting with rose petals, lavender, and pink peppercorn. There’s a beautiful citrus lift—almost like orange peel—that keeps it feeling vibrant and agile. It was fermented with 30% whole clusters and aged in large 500 liter barrels, a combination that frames the delicate pomegranate and cherry fruit with just a flicker of woody spice.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWith only 1,702 bottles produced, this is an incredibly rare opportunity to own what many critics are calling the \"definitive\" Valtuille red. It’s a seamless, fine-boned masterpiece that manages to be immediately delightful while possessing the serious foundations needed to age for decades. If you want to see the absolute peak of what César Márquez is capable of, this is the bottle.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cblockquote\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e100 points\u003c\/strong\u003e \"A pure and seamless interpretation of the Bierzo valley floor... built with serious foundations to last.\" - Beth Willard (Tim Atkin Bierzo Report)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/blockquote\u003e\n\u003cblockquote\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e98 points\u003c\/strong\u003e \"It could very well be the grand cru from Valtuille... it exceeded my expectations.\" - Luis Gutiérrez (Wine Advocate)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/blockquote\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.differentdrop.com\/products\/2023-cesar-marquez-villegas-mencia\" title=\"2023 Cesar Marquez Villegas Mencia\"\u003eRead More\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Cesar Marquez","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":43028725104683,"sku":"Cesar Marquez Mencia Masterclass Pack","price":399.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2572\/9722\/files\/CesarMarquezMenciaMasterclassPack_4d6f2d49-bffe-4f14-bee5-2d0d360aa0b9.png?v=1769730546"}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2572\/9722\/collections\/Cesar_Marquez.webp?v=1769731913","url":"https:\/\/www.differentdrop.com\/collections\/cesar-marquez.oembed","provider":"Different Drop","version":"1.0","type":"link"}