2004 La Montesa, Crianza, Rioja, Bodegas Palacios Remondo

Alvaro Palacios is particularly pleased with his 2004. it combines the ripeness of this excellent vintage with the elegance for which he is renowned.
(Simon Field MW-BBR Buyer)

The vineyards at Palacios Remondo are organically farmed and the wines are bottled unfiltered and unfined. The 2004 Crianza "Montesa" is a blend of 45% Tempranillo, 40% Garnacha, and 15% Graciano and Mazuelo with ageing in French oak. It is an elegant example of Rioja with smoky red currant, cherry and herbal aromas and flavors, ripe, silky tannins and a lengthy finish.
(Wine Advocate - Feb-2007)

From Alvaro Palacios' Rioja estate, this has a nicely rounded and rich nose, with some chocolaty notes to the meaty, ripe fruit. Fabulous weight and concentration on the palate too, though it never loses clarity with a bit of real structural backbone and grip. Fine now, but seems to have the stuff to age.
(The Wine Gang  - A review of a further 20 wines from the press tasting - Aug 09)