“It gets very close to the village red this year. This is a bargain.” - The Wine Advocate, 94 points

“A fabulous entry-level wine.” - Jancis Robinson.com

This is Cesar Marquez’s village blend, a snapshot, so to speak, of the 2023 vintage across Bierzo, a collage, so to speak, of the various plots (‘parajes’) that he tends, a mosaic, so to speak, of the grapes that proliferate across the region, led by its captain, so to speak, Mencia. 13% alc. Drink now-2032.

The Wine Advocate: “The 2023 Parajes is his regional red, a blend of different places, soils, expositions and altitudes (between 450 and 780 metres above sea level). It's a real representation of El Bierzo, with grapes from 45 different plots in nine villages. The vines range in age from 80 to 142 years of old and are planted with field blends - approximately 85% Mencía, 10% Alicante Bouschet and 5% other white and red varieties like Bastardo, Sousón and Estaladiña. The wine matured in 225-, 400- and 500-litre oak barrels for one year. It has moderate ripeness and 13% alcohol, making it lower than the 2022 and with more freshness. It's serious and balanced, elegant and fine-boned. It gets very close to the village red this year. This is a bargain. Drink now-2032.” 94 points