2007 Villa de Corullon

Ricardo and Alvaro Palacios started this joint venture in 1999, and their vineyards are located in the municipality of Corullón in the mountains to the west of Bierzo. The vines here date back 50, 75 and even 90 years in some plots, and are worked on biodynamic principles. The grapes were hand-harvested between the 14th September and 19th October 2007 and partially destemmed prior to fermentation in small open wooden vats. Maceration lasted 52 days, and malolactic fermentation occurred spontaneously in oak vats. The wine was aged for 16 months in new French oak barrels, and there was no fining, cold stabilisation, or filtration prior to bottling. Wow! Great to have this on a high street near you!!! Dark blackish purple. But fewer than 23,000 bottles were filled… Sumptuous nose – overripe mulberries? Then lovely freshness and minerals on the palate. This is the sort of wine I could drink all night!!! It's alive. Not at all heavy. So flattering. The vineyard is all. Long………. Bravissimo! (JR)