The entry level 2005 Petalos del Bierzo sets the bar high. Purple-colored, it has attractive aromas of flowers, raspberries and chocolate. The fruit is ripe, sweet, and supple in the mouth offering excellent intensity as well as elegance. Drink it over the next 4-6 years. This estate was started in 1998 by Alvaro Palacios. It has steep hillside vineyards and 60- to 100-year-old vines planted in 100% Mencia, a varietal indigenous to Bierzo, a cool-climate D.O. Importer; Rare Wine Co., Sonoma, CA; tel. (707) 996-4484