No doubt you’ll recognize the striking, painted label of Descendientes de J. Palacios Pétalos. It changes annually to reflect the vintage, and over the course of its 25 vintages, it has become the signature wine for Bierzo. This region in the northwest of Spain has all the ingredients to make outstanding wines: incredibly steep hillside vineyards, distinctive terroirs, and ancient vineyards of Mencía — a unique red grape believed brought by French pilgrims during the Middle Ages. Some liken it to Pinot Noir, some to Cabernet Franc, but it is a distinctly powerful and uniquely fragrant grape synonymous with Bierzo.
A partnership between Alvaro Palacios, arguably the king of Spanish wine today, and his nephew Ricardo Perez Palacios, Descendientes de J. Palacios has become the leading winery in the region, with Pétalos as its flagship. Available now, the 2021 Pétalos ($28.95; Vintages #446484; 15% alc./vol.) was described in the Wine Spectator as “A bright, harmonious red, with savoury notes of mineral and cigar box on the nose, transitioning on the silky, medium-bodied palate to accent flavours of crushed black raspberry, black olive and milled pepper. Reveals light, fine tannins on the finish.” Score – 92. Drink now to 2023.
Always quick to sell out, email us to order by the case or find it in stores here.
