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2022 Cesar Marquez Perez La Salvacion Godello
Cesar Marquez has Bierzo running through his veins, and is the latest generation of the Perez family to own the leading Castro Ventosa winery in north-western Spain. Growing up around surrounded by the region's leading exponents, including a lengthy apprenticeship with one of the world's greatest winemakers, his uncle Raul Perez, has shaped much of what Cesar values in wine. While he still manages the family estate, Cezar started his own venture in 2015, and is already one of the most exciting young prospects in Spain.
Having a deep understanding and access to some of the best vineyards Bierzo has to offer, Cezar focuses on preserving purity and freshness, highlighting the promise Mencia has in the right place when made with attention to detail. Cezar is structuring his line-up of wines in Burgundian fashion, making a broader appellation wine, a village wine, along with several single vineyard offerings. Winemaking is similar on all wines, with grapes partially destemmed and fermented in open barriques, before spending 12 months in old barrels without any racking or top ups before bottling the following winter. These are wines that are not just great examples of Bierzo Mencia, but wines that truly stand shoulder to shoulder with the finest from any region or country.
La Salvacion is a Godello cuvee from the east facing Argaza vineyard situated at 700 meters altitude with clay soils.
Other Reviews....
The 2022 La Salvación is quite tight, serious and a little closed. It's riper and rounder than the 2021, with 13.5% alcohol but keeping the freshness and acidity, with pH of 3.09 and 7.35 grams of acidity. It's juicy and tender, with a chalky sensation in the finish. This is round and very approachable. 7,936 bottles were filled in August 2023, after the wine spent 12 months in 500-liter French oak barrels. Drink 2024-2029.
94 points
Luis Gutiérrez - Wine Advocate (Jun 21, 2024)