2003 Petalos de Bierzo is the new low-end wine from Alvaro Palacios’

2003 Petalos de Bierzo is the new low-end wine from Alvaro Palacios’ Descendientes de J. Palacios project in Bierzo. (I presume it replaces the export-only "Bierzo" label.) Half the fruit comes from Corullon, half from other villages, but all vines are reportedly 40 - 90 years old. It sees 4 months in new French oak. Dark fruit, tar, and crushed stone on the nose. This medium bodied wine is a veritable rock quarry in the mouth - minerals, minerals, and more minerals, leavened with raspberry, balsamic, and slightly bitter tar. It is unusual to have the minerality present with such obvious amplitude. Very interesting wine for a list price of only $18-US.