A. Palacios La Faraona 2021

Alvaro Palacios, the heritage of old world viticulture Descendant of a 4 generation of wine producers, the passion of wine runs in Alvaro Palacios blood. At a time when Spain was known for its branded wines, Alvaro Palacios was driven by a greater “wine grower” vision. He wanted to make a wine that embodies its specific terroir, he wanted to Make Great Classic Wines . 10 years after succeeding in Priorat, Alvaro Palacios and his nephew, Ricardo Perez Palacios, discovered Corullón, in Bierzo, Castile and Leon. The area’s mystic legacy, geological strength and winegrowing culture have convinced them to take on a new fascinating challenge. The extremely steep slopes of Corullón are made of poor but remarkably diversified metamorphic soils, mainly slate and granite. 5,000 hectares of vines are cultivated in Bierzo and the most demanding vineyards are located on the hillsides of the Galician mountains, where the vines of Descendientes de J. Palacios grow. Cultivated in biodynamic, they range in altitude from 600m to 900m. Mencía, historically cultivated here by the ancestors, is the Queen grape variety. As it always happens when Nature is magnified by human traditions, the wines produced here are special. The noble and dignified old vines of Mencía - between 60 and 100 years old in Alvaro Palacios vineyards - produce fragrant, delicate wines with an astonishing energy. La Faraona, intriguing and supernatural Elevation taken to the limit. Unyielding, horizontal slate. A dizzying challenge. The slope faces the warm white light of dawn. The humid westerly winds from the Atlantic. And the dry southerly breeze of the summer. The vineyard lies on a fault line where the earth’s magma talked to the sky. That may be the reason why the vines seem to be blessed with a thrilling energy. Magic and wonder. The austerity of the mountain. The mystery of a sublime fragility. Corullon’s most extraordinary wine. The 2021 vintage After a damp December the 2021 vintage started with an unprecedented cold snap: Storm Filomena, which covered a large part of Spain with snow and left it with a persistent blanket of ice for several days. From March to June 2021, barely 140 litres fell, 17% of the total rainfall over the cycle: a very low level, which reveals an abnormal situation on the slopes of Corullón. In 2021, the team experienced everything except rain during the long days of July: sunny periods, plenty of cloud, short but sharp rises in temperature, the occasional hailstorm... In August, the absence of water was accompanied by weeks of persistent, dry heat, which was relentless, although without noticeable peaks. The rainfall was only between 50% and 75% of what is usual during this month. The first days of September saw daily showers and bursts of heat. Then harvest came at last! The teams put their body and soul into picking with minute care. Selection and more selection. Part of the vintage had to be set aside, favouring only the bunches in the right condition. Selection once again. And in the end, a small miracle . Like the rays of timid sunshine at dawn in the mountains, The wines have a finesse that is both delicate and overwhelming. A sure sign of their future expressivity made of moderation, reassurance and dazzling balance.

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