"During the late 1980's, Alvaro Palacios travelled his native Spain selling French barriques to winemakers. But his journeys had a second purpose: to find the best place to achieve his goal of making Spain's greatest wine. He ultimately decided, in 1990, on Priorat, where he would achieve worldwide fame with "L'Ermita" and "Finca Dofi." But there had been a close contender: Bierzo. It had all the ingredients that Alvaro wanted-incredibly steep hillside vineyards, distinctive terroirs and, most importantly, ancient vineyards of Mencía-a unique red grape believed brought by French pilgrims during the Middle Ages. In Pursuit of the Dream The idea of making great wine from old-vine Mencía never left Alvaro, and his experience in Priorat-particularly with L'Ermita-convinced him of Bierzo's enormous potential. Meanwhile, his nephew Ricardo Perez had finished enological studies in Bordeaux and was travelling across France-absorbing everything he could about great wines. He worked the harvest at Château Margaux, and did internships at other Bordelais firms like Moueix (Pétrus, Trotanoy, etc.). He also visited Alvaro frequently and came to share a belief in Bierzo's potential. In 1998, the two decided on a joint venture and set out in search of the region's finest old vineyards. Assembling the Pieces Alvaro and Ricardo found promising sites in a number of villages but shortly came to believe that the greatest potential lay in a little town on Bierzo's western border named Corullón. Old vineyards lined the precipitous hillsides there, and the local soils were extremely poor-composed mostly of schist-but with incredible diversity. The minute variations in soils and exposures across this zone immediately reminded the two of Burgundy's Côte d'Or, or Piedmont's Langhe hills. In Corullón, Alvaro and Ricardo believe they have found a unique combination of soils, old vines, and a distinctive variety that will yield their own grands crus. Beginning with 2001, the estate began to make their case with individual vineyard bottlings. The winery is dedicated to Alvaro's father, and Ricardo's grandfather, who passed away in early 2000. The wines are a worthy tribute to the man who inspired them."
Wine Advocate 93+ Their regional wine achieves unheard of levels of complexity and nuance with the 2018 Ptalos del Bierzo. It's a blend from over 90
Wine Advocate 96 "The village wine 2018 Corulln has, for the first time, the new category Vino de Villa (village wine!). It comes from around 90
Wine Advocate 93 "2017 was a very unusual year in Bierzo, and here they started harvesting the 21st of August, when they had never started harvesting
Wine Spectator 92 WS TOP 100 2018 Rank 35 "This savory red offers notes of espresso, black olive and graphite framing a core of black cherry and
Wine Advocate 92+ "The entry level 2015 Pétalos del Bierzo, their regional wine, in the new official category that will start working in the appellation from
Wine Advocate 95 "Ricardo Pérez Palacios told me his favorite overall vintages for Bierzo are 2001, 2012 and possibly 2015, because he sees them as very
Wine Advocate 93 "The 2014 Pétalos del Bierzo was already up for tasting as they sell the wine quite quickly even if the volumes are not
James Suckling 92 "Aromas of ripe berries such as blueberry and raspberry with slate and stone undertones. Full body plus silky and refined tannins that deliver
Wine Advocate 95 "If I was impressed with the 2012 vintage, the 2013 Corullón is otherworldy, especially for the vintage. The wine is tight and solid,
Wine Advocate 93 "One of my sure values, I thought the 2011 Pétalos could not be surpassed so I opened a bottle next to the 2012
Wine Spectator 91 WS TOP 100 2012 Rank 57 "This plush red delivers black cherry, licorice, mineral and smoke flavors. Harmonious and focused, supported by well-integrated tannins
Wine Spectator 93 WS TOP 100 2011 Rank 26 " This polished red shows density and harmony, delivering complex, well-integrated flavors of mineral, wild berry, fresh herbs
Robert Parker 90 "The entry-level 2008 Petalos del Bierzo is sourced from rented vineyards ranging in age from 40-90 years. It spends a few weeks in
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