Cesar Marquez - Bierzo 'Sufreiral' Mencia - 2022

The one wine that is different, as it comes from the rare limestone soils in Bierzo (less than 3% in the region), is the 2022 Sufreiral. It comes through as very fine-boned, elegant and complex, with very fine tannins, a chalky texture and a long, tasty and almost salty finish. It has a stony, austere sensation akin to a wine from a cooler year, which is quite remarkable for a torrid year like 2022. This is very close to the quality of the 2021, which is remarkable. It has contained ripeness, 13.3% alcohol and a pH of 3.67. This is the most Burgundian of the 2022s. It fermented with 25% full clusters and matured in 500- and 600-liter oak barrels for 12 months. 97 Points Luis Gutiérrez, The Wine Advocate