Descendientes de J. Palacios, S.L.
Welcome to Spain’s most famous unknown wine region: Bierzo! Even winemaker Ricardo Pérez Palacios, today one of the appellation’s most prominent ambassadors, did not really have the region on his radar – until he heard that Émile Peynaud, the French wine legend and father of modern oenology, once said that «Bierzo is the most French-like of all Spanish wine regions.»
An oenological Eldorado hidden in north-western Spain, destined to produce great wines. Ricardo was born in Rioja, and his uncle is Spain’s wine superstar Álvaro Palacios. Like him, he studied in Bordeaux and, like him, returned with the vision of crafting outstanding wines from unique vineyard sites.
The Bierzo wine region lies in the green north of Spain, on the border between Castilla y León and Galicia. Its humid climate, with frequent fog and rainfall, provides ideal conditions for the Mencía grape variety, whose origins remain not fully understood to this day. The oldest vines and the greatest genetic diversity of this variety are found in Bierzo.
Red wines from Descendientes de J. Palacios, S.L.
from Descendientes de J. Palacios, S.L.
For Ricardo Pérez Palacios, Mencía was a revelation. He admires its juicy freshness, silky tannins and remarkable balance. Together with his uncle Álvaro Palacios, he brings out the many facets of this grape variety – from the accessible Pétalos and expressive single-vineyard wines to the cult wine La Faraona, named after a high-altitude vineyard parcel above Corullón.
The Descendientes de J. Palacios estate comprises a total of 45 hectares spread across around 220 vineyard parcels. Many of these are tiny plots situated on slate soils in steep hillside vineyards at elevations of 500 to 850 metres above sea level, which can only be cultivated through intensive manual labour and, in some cases, with the help of horses or mules. The vineyards are also farmed according to biodynamic principles. In several parcels, the predominantly 60- to 90-year-old Mencía vines are accompanied by other traditional varieties such as Garnacha, Godello and Palomino.
Bierzo is shaped by both Atlantic and Mediterranean influences, creating ideal conditions for wines with strong character. Together, Álvaro Palacios and Ricardo Pérez Palacios craft elegant, fragrant and powerful wines with a distinctive identity. While Pétalos and Corullón offer an excellent introduction to the world of Bierzo wines, the single-vineyard wines Moncerbal, Las Lamas and La Faraona enjoy international acclaim.
La Faraona is one of the most extraordinary vineyards in the region. Rising to nearly 1,000 metres above sea level, the site often appears almost mystical, with its ancient, gnarled vines. A tectonic fault line and volcanic minerals in the soil give the wine its distinctive texture, depth and aromatic complexity. For a long time, the potential of this highest vineyard parcel above the village went unrecognized, until Ricardo Pérez Palacios decided to harvest significantly later. The resulting 2001 vintage is still regarded as one of the estate’s most remarkable wines.
For Ricardo, Mencía remains an extraordinary grape variety. Its freshness, elegance and versatility make it an ideal companion at the table. It reveals its full potential when served slightly chilled at 14–18°C in a Burgundy glass, whether paired with meat, fish or cheese.
Producer
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