Palacios Remondo, La Montesa Crianza 2021

This wine has a striking ruby colour with aromas of ripe red fruit, raspberries,and a hint of vanilla. On the palate, it is full-bodied with a smooth and velvety texture that lingers nicely. The tannins are well-integrated and provide just the right amount of structure.

Unusually this blend is 90% Garnacha, with some Tempranillo and Mazuela. It spends 15 months in French oak and displays rich black fruit, herbal characteristics. Crowd pleasing but impressive Rioja. On the palate is very velvety with good acidity and a well-balanced oak. La Montesa is a food-friendly wine that goes with just about anything: grilled meats, roasted vegetables, tapas or paella.

After making his name in Priorat and Bierzo, Álvaro Palacios returned to his ancestral home in Rioja and took over the winemaking reigns at Palacios Remondo. Álvaro is one of THE high-profile winemakers (along with Telmo Rodriguez) determined to champion Garnacha, particularly from old bush vines. The organically-farmed La Montesa vineyard is testament to what this variety is capable of, in the right hands. Situated on the hillsides of Monte Yerga, this vineyard produces fragrant and aromatically-intense wines, with a lightness that is often Pinot-esque.