88+ 2010 Pétalos Bierzo (Descendientes de J. Palacios) 8/12/12 ($18)
100% Mencia 14% alc
Color: Deep purple ruby. (3.0) Bouquet: Black cherry cola with some papaya and guava. (3.0) Body: Excellent acidity and fruit, but on the ripe side, showing some heat. Light heavyweight. (3.0) Flavor: Nice fruit, but shows heat and bitterness that slightly muddle its distinctive flavors. (2.5) Finish: Parallels flavor. (2.5)
Overall: A very enjoyable Mencia at an excellent price with black cherry cola and papaya fruit supported by excellent acidity. Excellent QPR and I'd be quite happy with it as is if only I hadn't had the '06 and '07 versions, which were not just very good, but outstanding. The last few vintages '08-'10 have shown heat and bitterness that the earlier vintages didn't possess. Seems to me they're going for too much ripeness and size in a wine that would be better off with a more balanced middleweight frame. Very enjoyable in spite of this and the ripeness is likely to integrate more with time. (14.0)
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