Descendientes de Jose Palacios : Moncerbal 2022

The bottled 2022 Moncerbal was produced with 95% Mencía and 5% Palomino (locally called Jerez) from six plots that total 2.61 hectares of vines at 610 to 730 meters in altitude that matured in oak foudres for eight months. The vines from Moncerbal really suffered in 2022; it's a stony and shallow place that might get blocked in warmer years. The wine doesn't transmit any heat and has managed to keep the freshness, but it suffers in comparison with the 2022 Las Lamas and especially with the 2023 Moncerbal, which could be the finest Moncerbal in the making... 6,480 bottles, 138 magnums and some larger formats produced. It was bottled in August 2023. All the 2022s are around 13.5% alcohol.

This Moncerbal shows aromas of red cherries, dried herbs, subtle floral notes and a hint of orange peel. On the palate it’s medium-bodied with firm tannins. At present, the wine feels somewhat tight, which is also a characteristic of this parcel, especially in a warm, dry vintage like 2022. It will improve significantly with some bottle age. Better from 2026.