Villegas 2023
D.O. Bierzo – Single Vineyard (Paraje Wine)
In 2023, after years of carefully vinifying individual plots in Valtuille, César Márquez decided to bottle Villegas separately for the very first time—recognizing its singular character and potential. This marks the debut of one of Valtuille’s Grand Crus, a site that has long captivated local vignerons with its finesse, grace, and identity.
Planted over 100 years ago, Villegas sits on a sandy ridge with an east-facing slope at 510 meters of altitude. The soil is pure sand, offering excellent drainage and lending a fragrant, ethereal profile to the wine. The grape blend is composed of:
85% Mencía
8% Garnacha Tintorera (Alicante Bouschet)
2% Bastardo (Trousseau)
5% white grapes (co-planted)
This is a dry-farmed vineyard with 4,000–7,000 plants per hectare, yielding just 2,000–3,000 kg/ha.
Vintage Overview – 2023
The 2023 vintage in Bierzo was classic and fluid, shaped by extremes:
After a parched 2022, winter brought cold, rain, and heavy winds reminiscent of childhood storms. Bud break came early after a warm spring, followed by a volatile summer with alternating heat, thunderstorms, and rain. September’s harvest was complicated by wet conditions, forcing multiple days of picking in waterproof gear.
With nearly 900 mm of rainfall, 2023 wines show freshness, florality, and finesse, recalling the elegance of 2001 or 2021.
Winemaking
The grapes were hand-harvested on September 7th, 2023, and fermented in 1,000-liter open-top vats, using 30% whole bunches. Fermentation was spontaneous, with only native yeasts and no temperature control or filtration.
A 15-day maceration followed, with gentle daily hand punch-downs to preserve the aromatic delicacy of the site. The wine was then pressed and allowed to decant for 7 days, before aging in a single 500-liter French oak barrel for 12 months.
Bottling & Production
Alcohol: 13%
Production: 1,702 bottles
Bottled on: January 15th, 2025