La Faraona 2025

La Faraona is the rarest wine from Descendientes de J. Palacios, the Bierzo estate founded in 1999 by Álvaro Palacios and his nephew Ricardo. It comes from a single vineyard in the El Ferrol area at the top of Corullón, planted at 975 metres and facing southeast, so it catches only the gentler morning sun. The vines, led by Mencía with a little Godello and Palomino, root into steep slate soils that drain freely and force them deep, lending the wine its graphite minerality and tension. At that altitude the diurnal range is wide, ripening the fruit slowly while preserving acidity and floral aromatics, which keeps the 14.5 per cent alcohol in balance. The estate is farmed biodynamically. Ageing runs 20 months in French oak, where measured oxygen exchange softens the tannins and frames the fruit with subtle spice rather than overt toast. The colour is bright cherry red. The nose shows ripe strawberry and red cherry, violet and rose, with smoke, fresh earth and a peppery, mineral lift. The palate is fine boned yet deeply structured, with silky tannins, vivid freshness and a long, stony finish. Serve at 16 to 17 degrees, decanted. Lovely with game and roast meats.