Descendientes de J Palacios Petalos 2008

 TASTING NOTE

It spends a few weeks in new French barriques followed by 6-10 months in seasoned oak. Purple in color with an alluring nose of lavender, incense, spice box, black cherry, and blueberry, on the palate it has excellent volume, intensity, and layered fruit. It has the structure to evolve for 1-2 years but can be approached now. It is an outstanding value and introduction to the Mencia grape.  14%  

VINEYARD

Ricardo Pérez and his uncle Alvaro Palacios arrived in the mountain area of Corullón in 1999, inspired by a desire to bring out its great viticultural potential. Descendientes has 40 hectares of vineyards distributed in almost 200 plots, mostly located on the sharply sloping hillsides of Corullon where the soil is slate, layered with clay and very good at retaining water. The vineyards are planted with 8 different clones of Mencia and farmed according to biodynamic principles.  Old vines (up to 130 years) give plenty of complex floral and earthy qualities to the wines and low usage of sulphur ensures the wines retain their natural, clean flavours. Harvest usually commences in late September, just before the October rains kick in.

Our experience with these wines over the past couple of years indicates that Bierzo wines benefit from prolonged air contact so we would recommend decanting them prior to serving