The Palacios project was set apart from the others for various reasons: it actively searched for old vines located in steep slopes at high altitude in the vicinity of Corulln and applied vinification techniques that were less focused on extraction and more on highlighting terroir personality. Additionally, Ricardo is one of the first producers in Spain to farm his own vineyards following biodynamic principles.

With its monastic past, its location right in the heart of the Camino de Santiago (The Way of St James), and a considerable amount of old vines perched on steep slopes, the Bierzo area must have felt like a small Atlantic Priorat to lvaro Palacios. It has all the ingredients to produce Burgundy-style wines.

The 2019 Moncerbal is a “vino de paraje,” produced with grapes (mostly Menca but also 4% white grapes) from different plots that totaled 1.51 hectares in the same zone of the village of Corulln. It fermented with some full clusters and indigenous yeasts in oak vats for 46 days and matured in oak barrels and foudres for 11 months. It’s one of the lower-alcohol wines (together with the Corulln) at 13.5% alcohol.

Tasting Notes

This is super aromatic and floral, with notes of violets and also white flowers with even a citrus touch. This is the showier wine of the 2019s, textured, long and gentle, with a great finish. It has changing aromas and flavors, mixing flowers, herbs, berries, earth and even a lactic touch sometimes. It should develop further complexity in bottle. This is a great vintage for Moncerbal, keeping the freshness and poise of the 2018 in a warmer year.

Food Pairing

Roast veal with morel sauce, Saddle of lamb fillet with herb jus, Roasted venison.

Grape Variety: Mencia

Country: Bierzo – Spain