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The mencía, the leading grape variety in the D.O. Bierzo, takes center stage in the incomparable red Fontelas 2018. A serious and balanced wine, full of elegance and with great aging potential, created by the winery responsible for some of the best wines of the denomination: Descendientes de J. Palacios.
Consumption features
Serving temperature
Consumption time
General features
General Information
From an Excellent vintage, the red wine Fontelas 2018 is the result of the silent revolution undertaken in the D.O. Bierzo by two of the greatest winemakers in our country: Ricardo Pérez Palacios and his uncle, Álvaro Palacios. A project initiated in 1999 that currently boasts impressive facilities designed by the renowned architect Rafael Moneo.
In addition to its meticulous production, the secret of this wine lies in the raw material: The mencía and palomino grapes that originate it come from small plots populated with old vines, between 60 and 90 years old, cultivated using biodynamic techniques that achieve the maximum varietal expression. After a strict selection of bunches, the fermentation is carried out with native yeasts in wooden vats, followed by an aging process of the obtained wine that lasts for eleven months in oak barrels and foudres. With a production of only 800 bottles, Fontelas 2018 is a unique wine, to be savored with time, that stands as an icon of Bierzo.
Tasting notes
On the nose, it reveals subtle aromas with hints of juicy fruit.
On the palate, it presents itself as a balanced, serious wine with spicy notes and a dry finish. Strong Atlantic influence both in the olfactory and gustatory phases.
The winery
Winery
Also in Bierzo, the Palacios family has managed to find the most hidden vineyards and produce splendid wines. Architects of the great revolution taking place in Bierzo, the young Ricardo Pérez Palacios—one of the descendants of the Palacios Remondo dynasty from La Rioja—and his uncle Álvaro Palacios—one of the gurus of Priorat—embarked on the adventure of crafting a great wine in Bierzo from the native mencía variety. And they succeeded.
They began producing in 1999 after acquiring a few hectares of vineyard and a small winery in Villafranca del Bierzo, which has been restored. They make their wines from mencía grapes, sourced from a vineyard located in a privileged environment with 27 hectares divided into almost 200 plots, planted with old vines of great quality on very steep soils, which Ricardo and Álvaro cultivate using biodynamic methods. This way, they produce fresh, fragrant, juicy, and lively wines, a true reflection of the viticultural personality of the Bierzo hills.