The vineyards at Bodegas Palacios Remondo, located in the Rioja Baja D.O., are organically farmed and the wines are bottled unfiltered and unfined. The 2004 Tinto Propiedad is the same blend as the Crianza, being a selection of the oldest vines and best fruit on the estate. It ratchets up the intensity both aromatically and flavor-wise with its expressive notes of black cherry, herbs, and spice box. Seamless in the mouth with ripe, sweet fruit, it offers elegance and a 6-8 year window of drinkability. Importer: Rare Wine Co., Sonoma, CA; tel. (707) 996-4484

Lifted, lively aniseed, berry and cedar. Supple, generous, youthful fruit, restrained tannin, lots of acidity. Long and fresh.