2016 Descendientes de J. Palacios Corullon Las Lamas
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Tasting notes
89% Mencía, 11% Jerez (the local name for Palomino Fino). A mixture of parcels in Las Lamas (Bierzo). Very steep slopes from 670 to 730 m. Old bush vines from 60 to 100 years old. Traditional agricultural work following biodynamic principles. Hand-harvested. Partial destemming. Alcoholic fermentation took place in oak vats with regular cap punching. Maceration for 21 days. Ageing for 16 months in barrels and foudres. Unfiltered. 3,655 bottles, 111 magnums, 23 double magnums, 12 jeroboams. Las Lamas is one of the most emblematic wines of Bierzo. The 2016 vintage shows the softer, more delicate version of this wine, but with a bit of herbaceous expression too. A somewhat closed wine, with an earthy touch. The texture is all about gentleness and velvet. Once opened, a floral touch comes out initially. At the extreme edge of the finesse, each vintage has less texture and continues to look for the essence. (FC)
Critic scores
Jancis Robinson MW
Luis Gutiérrez, Wine Advocate
More reviews and scores
They hit the nail on the head with the harvest date of the 2016 Las Lamas, and the wine shows incredible precision, elegance and symmetry this year. I've often discussed with Ricardo Pérez Palacios how sensitive Mencía is with the harvest date and how the grape has a very short picking window, to the point that, in 2016, you feel one day difference. They have been fine-tuning this wine in the last few years, and the result is evident. 3,655 bottles and some larger bottles were filled in June 2018.
Brilliant violet color. A hugely perfumed and complex bouquet evokes ripe red and blue fruits, candied flowers, exotic spice, licorice and smoky minerals. Sweet and penetrating on the palate, offering densely packed black raspberry, cherry liqueur, spicecake and lavender flavors that show outstanding delineation and back-end power. The mineral and floral notes drive an extremely long, energetic finish that leaves an alluring dark berry preserve note behind.