One thing that always strikes me when writing about European wine is the way I feel bound to write down what grape is in the wine. This wine for example is called Petalos and for all intents and purposes that could be the name of the grape, and if it was, which it isn't, would that mean more or less to you?
 
I really like the idea of not having the name of the grape on the label, I don't dislike that in the New world we do do it, but I just really like the idea of drinking the wine without any preconceptions. That is not to say however that certain grapes should be forgiven for not tasting like their DNA dictates, just that maybe, in general winemakers should, to quote unapologetically from the West Wing, '"Let Barlett, be Bartlett" or in more appropriate language for a wine site, let the grapes express themselves. Enough pontificating for now though, lets talk about this extraordinary wine made from the Mencia grape.

It pours out as purple and black as ink, it is driven by savoury, stemmy notes and is studded with spice and pepper. It has a lithe and cool palate, and if you like that just wait until it opens up. The glass is this wine's cocoon and from it comes the smells of burgundy. With earth, mushrooms and cherries, this is a remarkable wine. As I am writing this I am hoping that there is still some available, because if you like wines from the Rhone, if you like elegance, finesse and powerful smells that make you blink twice in awe, then start searching. Retail stores that have it will be asking around the fifty dollar mark, if I can get my hands on some I will put it on the site. This is a must, this is one that you will think about all the time.

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