2002 Descendientes de Jose Palacios La Faraona

Descendientes de Jose Palacios in Bierzo is a wine-making project orchestrated by Alvaro Palacios, one of Spain’s most innovative modern winemakers, and his nephew Ricardo Perez. Alvaro Palacios is the force behind L’Ermita and Finca Dofi, and Robert M. Parker Jr. has called the Alvaro Palacios estate “a benchmark for great Priorat.” Ricardo Perez finished his enological studies in Bordeaux and worked there before teaming up with his uncle in 1998. Together the pair purchased old vineyards on steep hillsides in Bierzo. Their first vintage was the 1999 and they now own nearly 100 acres. Vineyards are farmed according to biodynamic guidelines. The estate makes up to seven wines, most are single vineyard and nearly all are from old vines. Descendientes de Jose Palacios is notable for making wines from Mencia, the indigenous grape of cool-climate Bierzo. The estate is named for Alvaro’s father.

Bierzo is small, with about 9,500 vineyard acres, and centers around the city of Ponferrado. Located on the same northeastern plain as most of Castilla y Léon, it nevertheless enjoys a climate somewhat similar to Galicia, which means that Bierzo gets more rainfall and milder winter weather than other parts of the region. The primary grape here is Mencia, which is thought to be related to Cabernet Franc. Garnacha Tintorera and Cabernet Sauvignon are planted in small amounts. White wines are made from Godello (Verdelho), Malvasia and Doña Blanc and Palomino. Though white wines are produced much less than reds, Godellos are gaining international popularity as full-bodied, floral white wines. The appellation status for Bierzo was awarded in 1989.