Castilla y Leon, Bierzo
100% Mencia (from old hillside and hilltop vines)
Biodynamic farming
As far back as the Middle Ages, Cistercian monks from France recognized Bierzo as a remarkable place for wine. They quickly saw that Mencía (pronounced “men-thia”) thrived in its mostly slate soils, producing wines of both structure and grace. For centuries, Mencía was thought to have French origins, though it is now known to have come from Portugal, where it is called Jaen.
Pétalos del Bierzo represents the heart of the Descendientes de J. Palacios project, an assemblage of old vine fruit from the western slopes of Bierzo. While vinified for immediate consumption, it still bears the estate’s dedication to refinement. If this is a wine you enjoy, you will find deeper expressions in the single-vineyard wines of Villa de Corullón, and ultimately in Monçerbal and Las Lamas, two of the region’s most prized sites.
In the glass, the 2022 vintage shows a deep ruby hue with violet reflections. Aromas of dark red and black fruit, black cherry, plum, and currant lift from the glass, accented by wild herbs, and a hint of spice. On the palate, the wine opens with firm, youthful tannins that relax beautifully after a few minutes in the glass. A thread of tart red fruit and slate driven minerality carries through the mid palate, giving freshness and energy. The finish is long, balanced, and vibrant, suggesting both immediate charm and excellent cellar potential over the next decade.
$20