César Márquez comes from one of Bierzo's most storied families — the Castros of Castro Ventosa, who have farmed the region since 1752. He is the nephew of the legendary Raul Pérez, and cut his teeth making his first vintages in a corner of his uncle's winery before rapidly establishing his own name.

Parajes is his regional expression, sourced from over 40 parcels (parajes) spread across Bierzo's diverse aspects and soil types. The breadth of sites gives the wine a complexity and completeness that single-vineyard wines rarely achieve at this price.

The 2023 is silky and elegant — Mencía at its most refined, with dark cherry, violet and a whisper of graphite on the nose, and a palate that is supple and fine-grained with a long, savoury finish.

A benchmark introduction to modern Bierzo, and a wine that punches well above its price.