Palacios Petalos Bierzo
Since the time of the Cistercian monks and the Romans before them, Bierzo in the far northwest corner of Spain has produced wine from the mencia grape. The wine is inky dark and idiosyncratic. The grapes grow on steep hillsides in soil which is quartz and slate. Many vines are a century old.
Pétalos 2006 is made by the Descendientes de José Palacios. Alvaro Palacios produces the wine in small quantities in honor of his father. His wine tastes like a meadow: wild blueberries, damp stone, flowers, and rain. The concentrated taste of plum and berries is like a petite sirah. The wine ages for a few months in French oak – just long enough to add a little spice and smoke.
It is not obvious when to serve this bright fresh wine. It has a breakfast quality, but the early hour may not be appropriate for all of us. We held off until 5:00 and drank it before dinner with a little hard cheese. It would also be a spirited choice with grilled meat sliced on a salad.
Dedalus offers this wine for $21.50.
Tuta 3/3/09
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