Descendientes de José Palacios Moncerbal 2019

98 POINTS: Luis Gutiérrez - Robert Parker's, The Wine Advocate

Descendientes De José Palacios Bierzo Corullon Moncerbal is a stunning red wine made at the winery Descendientes de Jose Palacios (from the region Castilla y Leon in Spain) Already recognized by wine aficionados and international critics as one of Spain's most exciting 'projects' this wine can compete with the very best Grand crus from Burgundy and has repeatedly led to surprises in blind tastings. Incredibly refined with beautiful aromatics and a fabulous mouthfeel.

“The 2019 Moncerbal is a "vino de paraje," produced with grapes (mostly Mencía but also 4% white grapes) from different plots that totaled 1.51 hectares in the same zone of the village of Corullón. It fermented with some full clusters and indigenous yeasts in oak vats for 46 days and matured in oak barrels and foudres for 11 months. It's one of the lower-alcohol wines (together with the Corullón) at 13.5% alcohol. This is super aromatic and floral, with notes of violets and also white flowers and even a citrus touch. This is the showier wine of the 2019s—textured, long and gentle, with a great finish. It has changing aromas and flavors, mixing flowers, herbs, berries, earth and even a lactic touch sometimes. It should develop further complexity in bottle. This is a great vintage for Moncerbal, keeping the freshness and poise of the 2018 in a warmer year. They use less and less new oak barrels, contrary to what they thought they'd need with the new winery. 3,488 bottles, 101 magnums and some larger formats were produced in 2019. Luis Gutiérrez”
—98/100: Luis Gutiérrez - Robert Parker's, The Wine Advocate

The legendary Priorat winemaker, Alvaro Palacios, founded Descendientes de J. Palacios in 1998 alongside his nephew, Ricardo Perez, and together they have gained an incredible reputation for their fragrant and elegant wines made from the local variety, Mencia. Las Lamas includes a small percentage of white varieties and is sourced from parcels ranging between 50 and 120 years of age. A great wine for fans of Burgundy or Barolo that wish to branch out a bit.

ABV: 14%