César Márquez El Val 2022

The white 2022 El Val comes from an old vineyard regrafted to Godello in one of the cooler places of the village of Valtuille. It has 12.76% alcohol and a pH of 3.12 with 6.8 grams of acidity. It's open, aromatic and expressive, with notes of pollen and dry yellow flowers; it is perhaps a little more advanced, like it's evolving a little faster ("the 2022s were very approachable from very early on," he told me), a little more balsamic and Mediterranean. 550 bottles produced. It was bottled in August 2023 from one single 500-liter barrel, the same barrel he used for the 2021, so this time it was one year older. - Luis Gutiérrez. 

A powerful nose with lots of intensity. Flinty and minerally, but there is little toast. White fruit, fine lees, sour cream and a chalky, limey touch. Full and phenolic, with a long and creamy finish. A twist of macadamia nuts at the end. Drink or hold.