2007 Petalos del Bierzo
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Tasting notes
The entry-level wine (what an entry!) is the 2007 Petalos del Bierzo, 100% Mencia from vineyards ranging in age from 40 to 90 years. It spends its first few weeks in new French barriques before transfer to seasoned oak for 6 to 10 months. Saturated purple in color, it offers up a super-fragrant bouquet of smoke, violets, mineral, wild blueberry, and black raspberry. Fruity yet complex on the palate, it has superb depth, grip, and balance. This sexy effort can be enjoyed over the next six years but only hedonists need apply. Descendientes de Jose Palacios’ first vintage was 1999. The men in charge are Ricardo Perez and legendary vigneron Alvaro Palacios. Importer: Manny Berk, The Rare Wine Company, Sonoma, CA; tel. (707) 996-4484
Critic scores
Average Score
Richard Hemming MW, jancisrobinson.com
Jay S Miller, Wine Advocate
More reviews and scores
Strong sawdust aroma on the nose with some farmyard smells. Subtle perfume and obscure black fruit – loganberry maybe? Rustic on the palate; firm grippy tannin, ripe black fruit and compost, old leather and smoked meat. The nose seems unduly skewed towards the woody aromas, but the palate is very charismatic. (RH)