César Márquez - Godello Bierzo La Salvación 2023 (750ml)

​Wine Advocate 95 points
"The white Godello 2023 La Salvación was produced with grapes from a one-hectare centenary plot in Arganza, the northernmost and cooler village in Bierzo, a plot on clay and slate that was regrafted from Mencía some 20 years ago. The destemmed grapes were pressed in a pneumatic press, and the juice fermented in 500-liter oak barrels after setting for 24 hours. It matured in those barrels for one year, with the lees but without bâtonnage. It has 13% alcohol, a pH of 3.07 and 7.25 grams of acidity, meaning good ripeness and very good freshness and acidity. It's vibrant and very tasty, piercing and pungent, with a nice compromise between power and elegance. It's more direct, sharp and tasty but with restraint; it takes time to open up in the glass. 6,700 bottles produced. It was bottled in January 2025."


 

Vinous

"Trained under the guidance of his uncle (Raúl Pérez) at the family winery (Castro Ventosa), César Márquez has succeeded in developing a distinctive voice of his own in Bierzo. Taking a refined and detailed approach in the cellar, Márquez believes the ideal Mencía should sit between 12.5% and 13% alcohol and offer ample freshness and complex floral aromatics. Among the highlights in his range are the Villegas and Rapolao paraje wines (both Mencías), the field blend Sufreiral and the pure Godello El Val. A young producer with conviction, Márquez belongs on any shortlist of names to watch in the region."