Descendientes de José Palacios Bierzo Villa de Corullón 2019

96 points Luis Gutiérrez (Wine Advocate): “Following the new classification of wines, the 2019 Villa de Corullón is a Vino de Villa (village), produced with grapes from 6.71 hectares divided into 200 small plots they own on slate-rich soils at 500 to 950 meters in altitude. It’s 91% Mencía, 1% Alicante Bouschet and 8% white grapes from old vines (50 to 90 years old) that are organically and biodynamically farmed, and the wine will be certified in the coming years. The partly destemmed grapes fermented in oak vats with indigenous yeasts for 43 days and matured in barriques and foudres for 10 months. It has a “moderate” 13.5% alcohol, the lower part of the range, as they aim for 13.5% to 14% alcohol in the finished wines. This is a great blending exercise, as the wines are blended mostly before putting it in barrel. It’s a subtle and elegant Corullón, with great balance and freshness; Ricardo talked about some tannins that are very fine. It’s a fluid vintage for this bottling, a little herbal, versatile and complex. It seems to have more character than the Moncerbal than it has had in other years. This could be one of the lightest and most elegant vintages of Corullón, with a different texture from the rest of the 2019s. Drink: 2022-2030. (Jan 2022)”

94 points Peñín Guide to Spanish Wine: “(94% mencía, 6% others). Colour: Cherry. Nose: balsamic herbs, sweet spices, scrubland, black fruit, ripe fruit. Palate: spicy, balsamic, good acidity. (2022)”

92 points James Suckling: “A fragrant nose of plums, cherries, cloves and tea leaves. It’s full-bodied with fine tannins and fresh acidity. Chalky and stony character with a spicy, peppery finish. Drink or hold. (10/14/21)”