Region: Bierzo, Spain
Grapes: 85% Mencia, 10% Alicante Bouschet, 5% other varietals
Soil: Clayey with a lot of organic substance
Winemaking: Manual harvesting. Grapes were gently stepped on, leaving around 35% of whole grapes during fermentation. The wine is fermented naturally in 1000L containers and macerated for 14 days. Manual sinking of the cap daily. 12 months French oak aging in 500L barrels. No filtration or temperature control.
Alcohol: 13%
Annual Production: 1,211 Bottles

El Rapolao is one of the coolest areas of the village with slowest ripening. The North West facing vineyard is next to a large pine forest located at the top of the spot, receiving later sunshine compared to other Valtuille vineyards. The wine is a genuine representation of the vineyard with minimal intervention. With a touch of carbonic character, the wine shows violet and ripe and dark berries. Subtle touch of mint leaf and spices. Well-structured body with noticeable ripe tannin. Generous amount of blueberry and dark cherry with a touch of floral note and a mineral finish.

César Márquez Bodegas y Viñedos is César Márquez Pérez's own project range. If you are Bierzo's wine enthusiast, you must heard of the Pérez family, from the family's estate Castro Ventosa to Ultreia, by his uncle Raúl Pérez, the Wizard of Mencia. After working with his uncle for years, César started his own project in 2015, in searching for his own path on the burgundy-inspired terrior driven style, presented with a twist by the Mencia grape. The project ranges from regional wine, village wine to several unique single vineyard sites. All of the grapes are sourced from more than 100 years old vines. Wines are vinified naturally with no temperature control and filtration. For the white, the grapes are destemmed and fermented in 500L French oak barrels without batonage; for the reds, grapes are fermented in open containers with certain percentage of whole bunches, some of the cuvees are macerated for up to 60 days, depending on the soil composition. The resulting wines are refined and elegant with a reflection to it's terroir.

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