An excellent Costco find made from Rioja's other big red grape, the Palacios Remondo La Montesa.
92% Garnacha plus 8% Tempranillo and Mazuelo from vines with an average age of 31 years in eastern Rioja, Spain. This Rioja Crianza wine is aged for 12 months in barrel before release and has 4 g/L of residual sugar.
It also boasts some big scores with 94 points from Tim Atkin, 93 points from Robert Parker's Wine Advocate and 92 points from Decanter. 690,000 bottles were produced.
The wine-searcher average price is $18 but we grabbed it at Costco for just $10.99. It is imported by Folio Fine Wine Partners, The Michael Mondavi Family.
2016 La Montesa showcases the freshness, purity and elegance that Alvaro Palacios achieves from his family's estate in Alfaro. Juicy notes of cherry, raspberry and orange peel meld with herbal undertones to create a wine that is balanced, bright and lively.
14.5% Alcohol
Now here's an interesting find! Most of the wines you see from Rioja are primarily made from Tempranillo with a small amount of Garnacha. This one flips the equation quite deliciously.
The 2016 Palacios Remondo La Montesa begins with an attractive aroma of fresh, fleshy red fruit along with a zesty citrus note and nice touches of dried herbs.
Taking a sip reveals a lovely wine that is perfectly balanced, it's not big in any way but just sublime. It features juicy tart fruit similar to the nose, excellent touches of spice and herbs throughout, good acidity and a soft and smooth mouthfeel. Not only easy to drink but it has some nice complexity to it as well, I love it.
It ends dry, quite long and delicious. If you're lucky enough to find it in your local Costco buy a bunch!
You may also want to check out more of our favorite Garnacha here!
