2019 Descendientes de José Palacios Pétalos (Spain/ Bierzo/ Mencia/ Red)

Powerful but with a smooth balance, this full-bodied red features sweet and spicy dark red berry flavors and earthy notes. Mencia, from the Northwest region of Spain and first vinified by Cistercian monks in the Middle Ages, is typically aromatic and fragrant, with solid concentration. Pétalos pairs well with a meal, and it’s finesse and integrated structure allows it to be enjoyable now, yet it is a wine you can also lay down to cellar. Descendientes de J. Palacios, owned by Álvaro Palacios and Ricardo Perez, is named after Álvaro’s father, legendary Spanish winemaker José Palacios. “I’ve said this a number of times before, but sometimes you have to repeat yourself: Descendientes de J. Palacios is the most coherent, moving, thrilling and consistent wine project in Spain. Period.” -- Luis Gutiérrez, The Wine Advocate.