DESCENDIENTES DE J PALACIOS

One of a number of pies containing the fingers of the dynamic and pioneering winemaker, Alvaro Palacios, Descendientes de J. Palacios is named in tribute to Alvaro’s father, the Riojan winemaker José Palacios Remondo.

Arguably Spain’s closest spiritual ally to the great domaines of Burgundy’s Cote d’Or, the winery is a joint venture between Alvaro and his nephew, Ricardo Perez; both individuals had previously steeped themselves in the great wine regions of France and wanted to introduce some of the Gallic magic they had encountered into their mother country.

The region of Bierzo had the ingredients they were looking for: steep hillside vineyards, distinctive terroirs containing poor but diverse, schist-infused soils, and very old vines bearing the unique Mencía grape (supposedly introduced there by French pilgrims back in the Middle Ages), a variety they deemed capable of yielding its own grands crus. Fresh and spicy, with a mineral-infused vibrancy, the Descendientes de J. Palacios wines are some of Spain’s most exciting.