2014 Descendientes de J. Palacios, Petalos, Mencia, Bierzo Spain.
The latest Petalos del Bierzo from Jose Palacios is a deep and spicy Mencia that has all the rich detail you’d expect and a bit more flamboyant nature, making it a stand out for this region and varietal. Beautiful floral tones and shale/stone mineral spice lead the way with dark fruits opening up on the lush and forwardly ripe palate with satiny black cherry, plum and tangy currant along with mixed flowers with rose petal, violet and herbal lavender notes as well as flinty pepper and Loire like green pepper and savory earth. This is really a knockout Bierzo, though heady and almost full bodied it remains poised and well under control with a nice cut of acidity to lift the sweet fruit, it has a pure Mencia from Bierzo character, which if you’ve never had a Mencia reminds you of a blend of Cabernet Franc and Pinot Noir in some ways, though very much it’s own noble grape and terroir. A few years back all you saw in the States was oaked up versions, more Saint-Emillon in style than pure Mencia, luckily that has changed with more traditional styles and winemaking allowing us to really explore this wonderful grape and discover it’s true personality, and while the Descendientes de Jose Palacios Petalos is a more toward the international style it still is a gorgeous example, with lots of sexy flair and stylish craftsmanship. Lingering blueberry, strawberry compote, zesty basil, cedar and rose hips add to the pleasure and appeal, it is also a great value, drink over the next 3 to 5 years.
($25 Est.) 93 Points, grapelive