Descendientes de José Palacios - Bierzo Corullon 'Las Lamas' 2022

Winemaker, Ricardo Perez, is Spain’s foremost expert on Biodynamics.  He translated Nicolas Joly’s book “Wine from Sky to Earth: Growing & Appreciating Biodynamic Wine” into Spanish. The winery is a small part of the “complete” farm.  They grow many other products, raise animals, and make many of the bio preps themselves. The entry-level wine Petalos is perhaps the most difficult wine of theirs to make.  It is produced from over 300 plots that are managed by a full-time viticultural team. The area of Bierzo they are focused on is a small area around the village of Corullon near the highest elevation of the appellation and with the oldest most complex soils. Beyond managing the entire biodynamic farm, Ricardo also hosts classes for the residents on baking bread, making cheeses, and other skills from the region that are slowly being lost by the younger generations. Ricardo led the charge on changes to the DO of Bierzo rules getting further designations approved, village designations allowed, and many other things that will benefit the quality and communication to consumers.

1.75 hectares from the paraje Las Lamas which is part of the estates 15 hectares.. The vines here are very old approaching the 100 year mark. All vineyard work is done by hand or mule and biodynamically. The estate also practices organics. The grapes are hand sorted and destemmed and then macerated in oak fermentors for 25 days. No fining or filtering. 8 months in used barrels and foudre.

“Intense and nervy nose that shows focus, ripeness and complexity. Reductive and almost ferric, with white pepper, glossy red berries, grapefruit, mezcal and blood oranges. Precise, with structure and juicy fruit. There is mineral tension throughout, supported with a touch of fine but powerful tannins. Really long and precise. Drink from 2025.” - 97 Points, James Suckling

“They call Las Llamas a ‘vino de montaña’ – mountain wine – with vines growing at up to 700m on clay soils. The overall effect is sumptuous: even in its youth it jumps from the glass offering cranberries and redcurrants. The entry to the mouth is smooth, supple and rounded, exploding with the flavours promised by the aromatics. The finish is clean, with firm tannin layered with freshness. From year to year my preference changes between Moncerbal and Las Llamas. This year Las Llamas is definitely on top. Watch it as it ages beautifully. Gran Viña Classificada. 6,930 bottles produced.” - 96 Points, Decanter

Producer: Descendientes de José Palacios

Country: Spain

Region: Castilla y León

Varietal: Mencia

Appellation: Bierzo

Vintage: 2022

Size: 750ml