 |
|
Descendientes de José Palacios
|
 |
Alvaro Palacios
|
|
|
|
The press can't seem to get enough of Alvaro Palacios these days -- his legend built on the stunning wines he has crafted from the farthest reaches of Spain, from Priorat to Bierzo. Palacios' latest project features another rising star -- the obscure Mencía grape. In the Bierzo appellation, perched in the Northwest corner of Spain, ancient Mencía vineyards emerge from the steepest of hillsides, their roots deeply set into unique, mineral-laden soils. Under the skilled hands of Palacios and his cousin, Ricardo Perez Palacios, the forgotten black grape (believed by some to be a cousin of Cabernet Franc), has achieved new heights. The 60- to 100 year-old vines yield less than one ton per acre, resulting in a most concentrated, unique expression of this variety and of the Bierzo terroir.
Wine & Spirits Magazine named Alvaro as one of 50 "Most Influential Winemakers" of 2004. In that article, which appeared in the Fall 2004 issue, Ray Isle quoted Palacios as saying, "By 1999, I was established in the Priorat. I'd been to Bierzo once before, and remembered it. [So when Ricardo called about wanting to start something new], I said, 'Let's go. Now.'" |
|
Descendientes de José Palacios Bierzo Petalos 2008
|
Fruit Source: 50% slate hillsides in Corullon; 50% slate hilltops in selected villages. 450-800M elevation.
Vine age: 40-90 years.
Production: 8,000 cases
This is Palacios's entry level Mencia.
Snapshot
|
|
Country
|
Spain |
|
Region
|
Bierzo |
|
Appellation
|
Bierzo |
|
Color
|
Red |
|
Still / Sparkling
|
Still |
|
Special Features
|
Biodynamic |
|
Bottle Size
|
Full Bottle (750 ml) |
|
Varieties
|
Mencía |
| Wood Treatment |
4 months new French barrique |
|
|
|
| The Wine Advocate |
| Jay Miller |
| 92 Points |
| The entry-level wine (what an entry!) is the 2007 Petalos del Bierzo, 100% Mencia from vineyards ranging in age from 40 to 90 years. It spends its first few weeks in new French barriques before transfer to seasoned oak for 6 to 10 months. Saturated purple in color, it offers up a super-fragrant bouquet of smoke, violets, mineral, wild blueberry, and black raspberry. Fruity yet complex on the palate, it has superb depth, grip, and balance. This sexy effort can be enjoyed over the next six years but only hedonists need apply. Descendientes de Jose Palacios’ first vintage was 1999. |
|
