From the tradition of the Alfaro family of winegrowers in Eastern Rioja comes one of the most sought-after Garnachas: La Montesa.
There are wines that are simply enjoyed, and there are others that ultimately define a way of understanding history, a passion for winemaking, and even seduction and desire.
At a time when Grenache is enjoying a genuine resurgence in popularity amongst sommeliers, chefs and wine enthusiasts worldwide, La Montesa stands out as one of the great benchmarks of this Rioja expression, rooted in its own historic landscape and, today, more contemporary than ever.
The pinnacle of identity and freshness
La Montesa is the Palacios Remondo family’s great ‘landscape’ wine. Its renewed heyday is the result of the vision of Álvaro Palacios, one of the key figures in Spanish wine.
After helping to restore the Priorat and, later, the Bierzo – alongside his nephew Ricardo Pérez Palacios – to their rightful place of historical prestige, Álvaro returned to his homeland and his family winery with the aim of showcasing the Garnacha vineyards of the hills in the far east of Rioja.
Years of mindful viticulture, rooted in traditional methods and the purity of origin, have led to a thrilling synergy between terroir, climate and grape variety. The result is a wine of balance, authenticity and charm – a pinnacle of identity and character that celebrates the harmony of Garnacha on the windy Mediterranean slopes of Yerga.
La Montesa: Garnacha takes centre stage
Sourced from the estate that gives it its name – situated in the foothills of the Sierra de Yerga and planted by José Palacios – La Montesa is crafted from organically grown vines, planted in limestone-based soils and tended and harvested by hand.
The 2022 vintage, currently on the market, demonstrates Garnacha’s extraordinary ability to achieve a unique balance. The result is a wine that transforms the complexity of the harvest into harmony, freshness and liveliness, against a backdrop of the character of the land and the atmosphere of its native environment.
Aromas of ripe red fruit, cherry and raspberry, flowers and Mediterranean scrub. Hints of citrus fruits, a crisp, clean edge, the subtlety of the air, and nuances of finesse. And a fluid, silky texture, full of brilliant, rich juice. A wine of rustic elegance and refined natural vitality: embodying the very balance of the landscape.
La Montesa’s gastronomic versatility is thrilling. It elevates traditional cuisine and pairs beautifully with exotic dishes, contemporary recipes and any culinary occasion. A Rioja with its own distinct identity.
International critics have for years endorsed the consistency of this project. The 2021 vintage scored 94 Parker points, a rating that confirms the consistency of a wine which maintains its personality intact, vintage after vintage. This international recognition is complemented by the support of Spanish critics and the gastronomic world: the 2021 vintage of Finca La Montesa, from Palacios Remondo, was honoured at the 2026 T del Vino Awards organised by Tapas magazine – an award collected by Álvaro Palacios himself – and was recognised as Best D. Wine. But beyond the scores, La Montesa represents a way of understanding the vineyard. The philosophy of Álvaro Palacios and his family is rooted in a deep respect for the land and for the traditions of winemaking.
In an age of passing fads, La Montesa demonstrates that there are wines capable of uniting past and present in a spirit of respect, a sense of origin and an expression of the wine’s true nature. Each bottle preserves something beyond trends: the terroir, the passage of time and the mysterious union of nature’s enchantment, ancestral culture and the deep affinity of the indigenous grape variety.
Technical details
Designation of Origin: D.O.Ca. Rioja, Rioja Oriental.
Winery: Bodegas J. Palacios Remondo.
Grape varieties: Garnacha as the predominant variety, accompanied by a small proportion of other traditional varieties from Rioja Oriental.
Ageing: 12 months in French (90 per cent) and American (10 per cent) oak barrels.
Alcohol content: 14.5 per cent.
Serving temperature: between 12–14 °C.
Ageing potential: Five years after bottling, with the potential to develop further depending on the vintage.
About ÁLVARO PALACIOS
Álvaro Palacios leads one of Spain’s most influential wine-making projects and is an international authority on the production of terroir-driven wines. His career began in 1989 in the Priorat, where his work has been instrumental in the revival and international recognition of this historic wine-growing region, focusing on old vineyards, indigenous grape varieties and viticulture that respects the landscape. Guided by the philosophy that great wines are born from the whims of the vineyard, Álvaro Palacios also runs leading projects in Rioja, through Bodegas J. Palacios Remondo, and in Bierzo, with Descendientes de J. Palacios alongside his nephew Ricardo. His wines are among the most highly acclaimed by international critics, where his consistent presence has earned him widespread recognition. His wines, now produced alongside his daughter Lola, reflect the unique character of each region.
Source: THE NEWS ROOM