Descendientes de J. Palacios Pétalos del Bierzo 2023

Descendientes de J. Palacios is the Bierzo estate run by the Palacios family in north-west Castilla y León, and Pétalos is their village blend built around very old Mencía vines. The fruit comes from plots aged between 50 and 90 years, planted mainly on slate soils on slopes. Slate retains warmth and drains sharply, pushing the roots deep and holding yields low, which concentrates flavour and gives the wine its mineral grip. The continental hill climate, with cool nights, slows ripening and preserves acidity and aromatic lift. Fruit is picked by hand and the wine spends ten months in French oak barrels, where slow oxygen exchange softens the tannins and adds a fine savoury edge without masking the variety. The colour is deep cherry red. The nose leads with ripe raspberry and dark cherry, framed by fresh herbs, crushed stone and a whisper of liquorice. The palate is medium bodied and structured, the fruit carried on firm but fine tannins and a graphite minerality that runs through the finish. Serve at 16 to 17 degrees, ideally decanted. It suits roast lamb, game and mushroom dishes.