Rioja La Montesa Crianza

Romazini: 5/5 Stars

Modern Rioja made by the well known enologist Alvara Palacios. An impressively solid value.

Robert Parker: 87/100 Points

The 2008 La Montesa is made up of 65% Garnacha, 30% Tempranillo, and 5% Mazuelo aged for 12 months in a mix of new and used French and American oak. It gives up a pleasant nose of cedar, violets, spice box, cherry, and plum leading to a medium-bodied wine with adequate depth and volume, ample spicy fruit, and moderate length. This solid effort can be enjoyed over the next 5-6 years.

The Palacios Remondo wines are made by the renowned Alvaro Palacios from the family's home estate in Rioja.

Stephen Tanzer: 88/100 Points

Ruby-red. Pungent aromas of dark berries and cherry pit, with hints of woodsmoke and singed plum. Fleshy and open-knit, offering dense cherry and cassis flavors and a smoky licorice note. Displays good concentration and depth and finishes broad and plummy.