The Still & The VineSchool of Wine & Spirits
Descendientes de J. Palacios Pétalos Bierzo 2022
Red WineIssue 38

Descendientes de J. Palacios Pétalos Bierzo 2022

Descendientes de J. Palacios

NASBierzo, Spain
Alvaro Palacios and his nephew Ricardo brought global attention to Bierzo's old-vine Mencía, and Pétalos remains their most accessible expression of that mission. The 2022 vintage is vibrant and perfumed, demonstrating why this grape — when farmed with conviction — can rival Burgundy for sheer aromatic beauty at a fraction of the cost.

Kit Aromas

Tasting Notes

Nose

Intense aromas of fresh cherry and crushed violets, with a thread of minerality and a hint of green herbs. A subtle marzipan note adds intrigue beneath the fruit.

Palate

Medium-bodied and immediately expressive, with juicy red berry fruit, a floral lift of rose, and fine-grained tannins. A gentle mintiness emerges midpalate alongside a clean, stony minerality.

Finish

Medium length, with cherry and violet persistence and a refreshing, slightly earthy close.

Specifications
Varietal
Mencía
Blend
Predominantly Mencía with small amounts of other local varieties
Vineyards
Old-vine parcels across the Bierzo DO, many at elevation on slate soils
Alcohol
13.5%
Organic / Biodynamic
No
Serve & Pair

Food Pairing

Roasted lamb shoulder with rosemary and garlic potatoes

The Story

Alvaro Palacios, the legendary Priorat pioneer, partnered with his nephew Ricardo Pérez to rescue ancient Mencía vineyards in the remote Bierzo region of northwest Spain.

Train These Aromas
More Red Wine Reviews
COS Cerasuolo di Vittoria Classico DOCG 2020
Red Wine

COS Cerasuolo di Vittoria Classico DOCG 2020

COS

COS was fermenting in buried terracotta amphorae before it became fashionable, and this Cerasuolo di Vittoria shows why the method endures. It's Sicily's only DOCG red expressed in its purest form — no oak distraction, just Nero d'Avola and Frappato in transparent conversation.

Domaine Tempier Bandol Rouge 2020
Red Wine

Domaine Tempier Bandol Rouge 2020

Domaine Tempier

Domaine Tempier is the benchmark for Mourvèdre-based Bandol, and the 2020 vintage delivers the classic tension between sun-drenched fruit and wild, herbal depth. This is a wine that insists on food — bring it roasted lamb and watch it come alive.

Produttori del Barbaresco Barbaresco DOCG 2020
Red Wine

Produttori del Barbaresco Barbaresco DOCG 2020

Produttori del Barbaresco

This cooperative has been turning out benchmark Barbaresco since 1958, and their classico bottling remains one of Italian wine's great truths. It seems austere at first pour — give it thirty minutes or a carafe and it becomes a different wine entirely. Beneath the tannin lies genuine beauty.

Château Musar Rouge 2017
Red Wine

Château Musar Rouge 2017

Château Musar

Serge Hochar's legendary estate has produced wine through civil war and political upheaval, and this 2017 vintage shows why the world took notice decades ago. The blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cinsault, and Carignan aged in French oak is released only when deemed ready. Copper's role here is quieter — in winemaking, trace copper contact during fermentation helps manage reduction — but the result is a wine of haunting complexity.

28 proof