Description
Alvaro Palacios is one of the “rock stars” of modern Spanish wine making best known for his work in revitalising the region of Priorat and his ultra-pricey “Grand Cru”, L’Ermita. This though is from his family property in Rioja, where he has worked his magic in reinvigorating the old vineyards and bringing the winemaking up to the state of the art. 2017 was an warm and low yielding growing season (dry) resulting in one of the earliest harvests in La Rioja. Cold nights thankfully maintained balance, freshness and savouriness in the wine. The results are exemplified with La Montesa – a Garnacha dominant blend with Tempranillo, Mazuelo from great old vines ( single hillside vineyard on northeastern slopes of Yerga Mountains) is aged in old French oak. Think intense blood plum, blackberries, floral, wild thyme thru’ to wood spice, tobacco and earth balanced by vibrancy and raspberry freshness. Elegant, savoury, long and beautifully stylish. Do not miss out on this fine Rioja!
92 points James Suckling:
” Lots of cherry and raspberry aromas with floral undertones here. Medium body, ultra-fine tannins and a fresh finish. Fruity finish. A little tight now. Better in 2021. ”
92 points Luis Guttieriez Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate:
” The 2017 La Montesa is mostly Garnacha with some 8% other red varieties and comes from a warm and dry year that saw a very early harvest, up to 20 days earlier than usual. It fermented in stainless steel and matured in barrique for 12 months. It feels very Mediterranean, with notes of Mediterranean herbs and ripe berries. It’s juicy and lush, round and very pleasant, easy to drink. 670,000 bottles produced and will be labeled organic, very remarkable for such volume. It was bottled in May 2019. ”
RRP $60 Special when you buy 6 bottles or more
