2005 Las Lamas, Descendientes de J Palacios

Farmed at 15 hl/hr on a precipitous bed-rock of schist, some at an altitude of over 700 metres, this wine is the sine qua non of Alvaro Palacio’s adventure in Bierzo. A powerful nose with eucalypt and liqueur de cassis to the fore, leading onto a dense but very finely textured palate with notes of tobacco and peat beneath the dense dark fruit. A wine to watch, drinking 2012-2020 and maybe beyond!
(Simon Field MW, BBR Buyer)

"Las Lamas” is purple-colored with an expressive bouquet of earth, mineral, smoke, leather, and blueberry. This is followed by an elegant, ripe, full-flavored wine with excellent depth and concentration. Give it 3-4 years in the cellar to unwind and drink this stylish effort through 2017.
(Jay Miller - Wine Advocate - Feb 2008)

Made from a very low yield of the Mencia grape by Alvaro Palacios of L’Ermita fame, this distinctive red has a fine aromatic quality, displaying elements of herby garrigue and citrus zest, while the sweet dark berry fruits concentration contains within it a core of herb and a twist of fresh astringency, the finish long and powerful, the backbone ensuring a long life ahead.
(The Wine Gang - A review of a further 20 wines from the press tasting - Aug 09)