Valtuille Vino de Villa Mencía 2023
D.O. Bierzo – Village Wine
A heartfelt tribute to the village that shaped him, César Márquez’s Valtuille Vino de Villa 2023 captures the soul of Bierzo in a bottle. This wine represents the “village” tier of his project, drawing fruit from six historic plots within the municipality of Valtuille de Abajo—an epicenter of old-vine Mencía and traditional viticulture.
Crafted from 85% Mencía, 10% Alicante Bouschet, and 5% white and other native varieties, the wine is sourced from over 100-year-old vines across 3.2 hectares divided among the following six plots:
El Val (25%)
Brazos de Lillo (25%)
El Tesín de la Campana (15%)
Villegas (15%)
Matalospardos (12%)
Las Gundiñas (8%)
These vineyards rest on sandy clay soils, situated at 510–560 meters above sea level. No irrigation is employed, and yields are low at 2,000–3,000 kg/ha.
Vintage Overview – 2023
The 2023 vintage mirrors the nostalgia of old-school Bierzo:
After a dry 2022, winter brought cold, rain, and strong winds. Spring arrived with warm weather, leading to early bud break, and was followed by an unsettled summer of alternating heat, rain, and thunderstorms. Mildew pressure was high, requiring vigilance in the vineyards. The result was a harvest with good fruit volume but smaller clusters—yielding wines that are fresh, floral, fluid, and elegant, echoing vintages like 2001 and 2021.
Winemaking
Each plot was harvested by hand between September 1st and 8th, 2023, and fermented separately in 1,000-liter open-top vats. Around 25% of the grapes were whole bunches, and native yeasts initiated fermentation. No temperature control or filtration was used. Maceration lasted 15 to 21 days, with gentle daily hand punch-downs.
Following fermentation, the wines were lightly pressed and allowed to settle for 7 days before aging in 500-liter French oak barrels for 12 months. In some vintages, a portion ages in new 1,200-liter French oak foudres to add further nuance.
Bottling & Production
Alcohol: 12.5%
Production: 7,408 bottles
Bottled on: January 20th, 2025