Descendientes de José Palacios Petalos 2021

The barrel sample of the 2021 Pétalos was lower in alcohol than ever (13.5%), and the wine felt a bit reductive and needed time in the glass to open up. That's not a bad sign in my book, and the wine was lighter, a little narrower (a bit the style of the year), with finesse and freshness (despite not having high acidity, but it's the balance that makes it fresher), elegant and juicy, with very fine, chalky tannins. 2021 saw a good crop and, except for Las Lamas and La Faraona, volumes are similar, even a little more in Pétalos, because the early-harvested vineyards delivered very healthy grapes and there was no need to discard or sort the grapes, which was not the case in the vineyards that were harvested late. There will be some 280,000 bottles, and the 2021s might also have a shorter élevage.Barrel Sample: 93-94

Tangy notes of white pepper, wild herbs and red berries. Hints of agave, too. Elegant and delineated on the palate with a medium body, where you find a fine wrap of chalky tannins to the nimble, elegant red berry fruit. (5/2023)

A bright, harmonious red, with savory notes of mineral and cigar box on the nose, transitioning on the silky, mediumbodied palate to accent flavors of crushed black raspberry, black olive and milled pepper. Reveals light, fine tannins on the finish.

Youthful with hints of sappy plum on the nose. Dense, succulent cherry fruit with hints of herbaceousness. Lip-smacking acidity and polished tannins on the finish. (Panel Tasting) (3/2023)