Descendientes de Jose Palacios, ‘Petalos del Bierzo’ 2021, DO Bierzo, Spain

Descendientes de Jose Palacios was established in 1998 when Ricardo Perez and Alvaro Palacios found a promising site on Bierzo’s western border…old vineyards (60-100 years old) lined the precipitous hillsides there, and the local soils were extremely poor – composed mostly of friable schist – but with incredible diversity. The climate is intermediary between coastal Galicia and continental Castilla Y Leon. The estate owns 15 ha in 65 parcels in the town of Corullon. Petalos del Bierzo is assembled from old hillside and hilltop vines across from Bierzo’s western edge. The wine is vinified for immediate appeal, but it retains the estate’s signature finesse. Vine age: 40-90 years. Oak Aging: Few weeks in new French barrique plus 6-10 months in 2nd and 3rd passage barrels. 2021 – A wine with lower alcohol than ever, lighter, a little narrower but with the juiciness of Mencia that seems to come back after some time in bottle. It has lots of notes of aromatic herbs, with some similar aromas to the La Faraona. It’s quite expressive and showy, very pleasant and easy to drink, very gourmand, with a velvety mouthfeel and very fine tannins.