92 Point Rioja – Under $15 a Bottle!!

FIRST RATE RIOJA FOR A FRACTION OF THE COST!

“The wines of Alvaro Palacios achieve the perfect balance of traditional Rioja with a modern touch. Along with the native grape varieties Tempranillo, Mazuelo and others typically used in Rioja, he uses a higher percentage of Garnacha giving a round, berry-rich twist to the typical spice and herbal profile of Rioja. The well-made and versatile 2014 ‘La Montesa’ Crianza scored 92 points from Robert Parker’s The Wine Advocate, and is a lot of 'bang for the buck' - especially as it's under $15! This is definitely one of those wines to buy by the case and break out for BBQ!” –Jim Knight, The Wine House

“I tasted from two different bottles of the 2014 La Montesa Crianza, one that had been decanted for 18 hours and one that was popped and poured. The wine had opened up, but showed no signs of fatigue or oxidation. The just-opened bottle felt a little more compact, serious and a little backward. It had only been in bottle for less than two months when I tasted it and it didn't feel dizzy at all. The amount of Garnacha is growing in most of the wines and here, it's already 85%, with the balance provided by Tempranillo; in 2015 ,the proportion is even higher at 92% and 8%. It fermented in stainless steel vats with natural yeasts, including malolactic, and matured in barrique for one year before being fined and bottled. 2013 and 2014 were challenging vintages, and many wines were not produced. In 2014 (and 2013), there is no Propiedad, so those grapes were used for the La Montesa. The palate shows great balance, and the overall effect of the higher percentage of Garnacha is a more elegant, streamlined wine that tasty with great freshness. A whopping 660,000 bottles were produced, which is remarkable for this quality and price; it does feel like a more expensive wine...” –Luis Gutiérrez, Robert Parker’s The Wine Advocate, August 2016

Luis Gutiérrez on Bodegas Palacios Remondo: Álvaro Palacios keeps improving the reds from the family winery in Rioja; it took some time, but the wines are finally reaching the expected level and playing in the first league of Rioja. After some trials, there is a new top of the range red, Quiñón de Valmira. It is from three hectares in the Monte Yerga, which when they achieve their cruise speed might produce up to 6,000 bottles, but for now the vines are still recovering from being regrafted from Tempranillo to Garnacha; there are only 1,000 bottles of the 2014. This wine will be sold through separate channels, without exclusivity, meaning the importers can change depending on who buys what vintage. Going back to the existing wines, Propiedad was not produced in 2013 or 2014, and the grapes went to La Montesa. All of the vineyards are organically farmed, even the external grapes used for Vendimia are registered in the organic vineyard registry. The wines are gaining in precision and purity by the vintage.”

“Fresh nose of pure strawberries and raspberries with hints of dried flowers and white pepper. Medium to full body, light and silky tannins and a fresh, flavorful and slightly herbal finish. Drink now.” –James Suckling, December 2016

FROM THE IMPORTER

Winemaker’s Notes: Named after a hillside vineyard located on the northeastern slope of the Yerga mountain in eastern Rioja, La Montesa is a blend of the indigenous grape varieties that grow on the Palacios Remondo estate. Described by winemaker Alvaro Palacios as being 'clear ruby-to-cherry red in color, with flecks of gold and silver', it is a cheerful wine, with an indescribable vitality. Full of Mediterranean orchard fruit aromas including nectarines, pomegranates and oranges, the palate 'contains vibrant and rich flavors of stone fruits, discrete spice and a vibrant chalky minerality'. Perfect when enjoyed by-the-glass on its own, La Montesa's multi-faceted flavor profile will pair well with any kind of cuisine.

ABOUT PALACIOS REMONDO

Alvaro Palacios - If anyone embodies the promise and spirit of "The New Spain", it is Alvaro Palacios. Born into a wine family in Rioja, he now makes wine in three different appellations: Priorat, Bierzo, and his hometown of Alfaro in Eastern Rioja. Alvaro's flagship Priorat wine, L'Ermita, is one of the highest rated wines to come out of Spain, and he was voted "Winemaker of the Year" in the 2008 edition of the Wine Report. Following his great successes in Priorat and Bierzo during the 1990s, and the death of his father in 2000, Palacios assumed responsibility for the family's property and winery in Rioja, Palacios Remondo.

Passion for Tradition – DOC Rioja is known for native grape varieties Tempranillo, Garnacha Tinta and Viura, among other varieties used primarily for blending. The Palacios Remondo Estate and vineyards are located at high elevations in the eastern part of the region. Alvaro's passion for staying true to the tradition of the land inspires him to make wines that are expressive and authentic to the Eastern Rioja region. Alvaro uses Garnacha, which thrives in Rioja Baia, as the dominant grape in his red wine blends. This makes for more full-bodied wines with aromas of Mediterranean herbs, cherries and nectarines, and flavors of mixed berries and blood oranges on the palate.

Committed to Organic Viticulture & Natural Winemaking Practices - Palacios is deeply committed to organic viticulture and natural winemaking practices, such as use of organic fertilizers in the stone-covered, clay soils. All wines are unfiltered and clarified only with egg whites, no exogenous yeasts or commercial compounds are added to the wines and sulfites are kept to minimum levels. Total respect for his vineyard and its surrounding environment results in wines – La Montesa, Propiedad, Plácet Valtomelloso and La Vendimia – that express the true nature of the estate's soils.