($22, The Rare Wine Company): Ricardo Perez and his uncle, Alvaro Palacios, whose last name is synonymous with great Spanish wine, are putting Bierzo and its unique grape, Mencia, on the world’s wine stage.  Located in rural middle of nowhere northwestern Spain, Bierzo never had a reputation for producing fine wine.   Perez and Palacios are changing that.  Made from a combination of estate and purchased fruit, Pétalos is their “entry level” wine.  And what an entrance.  Overall, it’s an intense wine that avoids heaviness.  It has an enchanting combination of floral, herbal and mineral elements that complement the dark black fruit notes.  Supple tannins and an uplifting freshness allow you to enjoy it now.  But no mistake, this is seriously classy wine that will develop nicely over the next few years.
91 Michael Apstein Mar 12, 2013