Alvaro Palacios 2015 vintage preview
Sarah Jane Evans MW gets a sneak preview of Alvaro Palacios 2015 vintage wines at the London en primeur tasting. See her report and tasting notes below.
Alvaro Palacios was in London this week (17th March) presenting his 2015 vintage wines. On show were his wines from Priorat, including the new Les Aubagetes; the new Quiñon de Valmira, a single vineyard from Rioja Baja; and the latest releases from Descendientes de J Palacios, run by his nephew Ricardo Pérez, in Bierzo.
In Priorat and Rioja Baja, Palacios has been continuing the focus on Garnacha. ‘It’s already too late for Garnacha in many places. As a variety it has a problem of berry set which is why Tempranillo replaced it everywhere. That’s why my life is all about grafting – grafting the Garnacha over Tempranillo rootstocks. With bush vines it’s not easy, you have to go right down to the root to find fresh wood to graft.’
In Bierzo Ricardo Pérez, Alvaro Palacios’ nephew, farms the grapes biodynamically. In terms of ageability of the wines he says: ‘the good thing about Mencía is that it’s enjoyable now, and does not change much in five years. For longer ageing, the Continental vintages [2010, 2011] have the best potential.’ He believes 2013 and 2014 were Atlantic vintages, and 2015 ‘is in the middle’.
Where will Palacios go to next? Nowhere, it seems. ‘You can’t make top level wine and be a flying winemaker – you have to be a real vigneron, and it has to be your life.’ What about Jerez? ‘Maybe when I retire…’
Read Sarah-Jane Evans’ tasting notes on the Alvaro Palacios 2015 wines (en primeur)
Álvaro Palacios, Quiñon de Valmira, Rioja, Northern Spain, Spain, 2015
First fruits of Alvaro Palacios’ labours to restore Rioja Baja’s traditional Garnachas to glory. Bush vines, grown at 615m, at the limit of ripening. Shallow...
2015
Álvaro PalaciosRioja
Descendientes de J Palacios, Villa de Corullón, Bierzo, Spain, 2015
89
<p>The grapes for Alvaro Palacios Villa de Corullón 2015 come from vines between 50 and 100 years old, from six villages. Light, balanced freshness and crunchy, with an underlying stripe of minerality. Clean, chalky with good intensity.<br /> (89% Mencía, 9% other coplanted white grapes, 2% other coplanted red grapes)</p>
2015
Descendientes de J Palacios
Álvaro Palacios, Las Lamas, Bierzo, Spain, 2015
91
<p>85% Mencía, 11% white grapes (varieties may include Palomino, Pan y carne, Godello, Valenciano), 4% other red grapes, from parcels between 50 and 120 years old Alvaro Palacios Las Lamas 2015 is a brilliant purple colour with blue tinges. Ringingly clean and pure, with damson fruit. The palate is refined, and structured, with a fine grip and a very long finish. This wine was a barrel sample tasted at Alvaro Palacios en primeur in London on 17th March 2016.</p>
2015
Álvaro Palacios
Álvaro Palacios, Moncerbal, Bierzo, Spain, 2015
95
Alvaro Palacios Moncerbal 2015 is showing beautifully. Heady aromas of red roses and plums lead to a generously plump and fleshy palate. Dense and powerful at the outset, followed by a delicate grain of tannin. Very lively, very long. Of all the Bierzos, at its best today. This wine was a barrel sample tasted at Alvaro Palacios en primeur in London on 17th March 2016.
2015
Álvaro Palacios
Álvaro Palacios, La Faraona, Bierzo, Spain, 2015
From the glorious hillside 0.55ha vineyard which used to be half white varieties, half red, but has been grafted over. Alvaro Palacios La Faraona 2015...
2015
Álvaro Palacios
Álvaro Palacios, Gratallops Vi de Vila, Priorat, Catalonia, Spain, 2015
Alvaro Palacios Gratallops Vi de Vila 2015 is a blend of 10 different sites. Very aromatic, with raspberries and notes of red liquorice. The palate...
2015
Álvaro PalaciosPriorat
Álvaro Palacios, Finca Dofí, Priorat, Catalonia, Spain, 2015
Alvaro Palacios: 'Dofí is the history of my life in Priorat.' A clear expression of Garnacha: . 'Garnacha is a musical, joyful variety with its...
2015
Álvaro PalaciosPriorat
Álvaro Palacios, Les Aubaguetes Bellmunt del Priorat, Priorat, Catalonia, Spain, 2015
‘Auba’ means shade in Catalan and, as Alvaro Palacios said, 'the best Priorats were always planted in the shade'. New to the portfolio, this blend...
2015
Álvaro PalaciosPriorat
