Bierzo, César Márquez "El Rapolao" 2022

And then we turn to northwestern Spain and Bierzo, a mountainous and remote appellation home to the red Mencia grape. César Márquez is a young superstar of the forgotten region, and makes a set of stunning single-vineyard expressions of Mencia and friends. This is his Di lui 2020 El Rapolao —a field blend of Mencia, Alicante Bouschet, and other unidentified, indigenous varieties planted nearly a century ago. El Rapolao is arguably the most famous site in Bierzo, and Márquez fashions this beautiful, savory, medium-bodied red from its grapes.  Must be 21 years old to purchase. ID is required at delivery or in-store pickup.