Descendientes de Jose Palacios : La Faraona 2023

Characteristics and tasting advice for La Faraona 2023 Descendientes de José Palacios

Serving and cellaring

La Faraona 2023 requires decanting for at least one hour before serving to fully reveal its aromatic complexity. This wine has strong aging potential and can be cellared until around 2043. It should be stored at a maximum temperature of 12°C.

La Faraona, a legendary cuvée from the Bierzo appellation

The estate

Created in 1999 by Álvaro Palacios and his nephew Ricardo Pérez Palacios, Descendientes de José Palacios has established itself as one of the most prestigious estates in Castile and León. Spread over 40 hectares divided into 220 plots around Corullón in the Bierzo appellation, the estate is named after José Palacios, Álvaro’s father and Ricardo’s grandfather. Jointly run by the two founders, it stands out for its old-vine mencía grown on slate and schist slopes, producing, among others, La Faraona, a legendary cuvée made in very small quantities.

The vineyard

La Faraona comes from a single 0.55-hectare parcel located in the village of El Ferro in Corullón, at the heart of the Bierzo appellation. This exceptional vineyard lies on very steep, southeast-facing slopes between 800 and 860 meters above sea level. The Early Cambrian Paleozoic soils, composed of sericitic schists and slate cut through with quartz and metal veins, offer a unique volcanic-influenced terroir. The root system remains shallow due to a rock layer located just 30 centimeters below the surface.

Winemaking and aging

Vinification takes place in oak vats with regular punch-downs, using indigenous yeasts. Malolactic fermentation starts spontaneously in the same oak vat, then the wine is aged in barrels.

Grape varieties

This red wine from Castile and León is composed of 95% mencía, the region’s emblematic grape, complemented by 5% white varieties jeréz and godello, from 83-year-old bush-trained vines, following Bierzo’s biodynamic tradition.