Petalos 2006

The fruit is sourced from rented, schist-covered vineyards in Corullon and the surrounding towns. The average age of the vines are 40–90 years old. The wine is aged for a few weeks in new French barriques and 6–10 months in 2nd- and 3rd-passage barrels.

100% Mencia. Bottled by Descendientes de J. Palacios. During the late 1980s, Alvaro Palacios travelled his native Spain selling French barriques to winemakers. But his journeys had a second purpose: to find the best place to achieve his goal of making Spain's greatest wine. He ultimately decided, in 1990, on Priorat, where he would achieve worldwide fame with "L'Ermita" and "Finca Dofi." But there had been a close contender: Bierzo. It had all the ingredients that Alvaro wanted: incredibly steep hillside vineyards; distinctive terroirs; and, most importantly, ancient vineyards of Mencia—a unique red grape believed brought by French pilgrims during the Middle Ages. His nephew Ricardo Perez, who had visted Alvaro frequently, also came to share his belief in Bierzo's potential. In 1998, the two decided on a joint venture and set out in search of the region's finest old vineyards. Alvaro and Ricardo found promising sites in a number of villages but shortly came to believe that the greatest potential lay in a little town on Bierzo's western border named Corullon. Old vineyards lined the precipitous hillsides there, and the local soils were extremely poor—composed mostly of schist—but with incredible diversity. The minute variations in soils and exposures across this zone immediately reminded the two of Burgundy's Cote d'Or, or Piedmont's Langhe hills. In Corullon, Alvaro and Ricardo believe they have found a unique combination of soils, old vines and a distinctive variety that will yield their own grands crus. Beginning with 2001, the estate began to make their case with individual vineyard bottlings. The winery is dedicated to Alvaro's father, and Ricardo's grandfather, who passed away in early 2000. The wines are a worthy tribute to the man who inspired them.