I took to the 2008 La Montesa more than my predecessor. A blend 55% Tempranillo, 35% Garnacha and 10% Mazuelo, it has an uncomplicated, vanilla-tinged bouquet with ripe wild strawberry and cranberry fruit. The palate is medium-bodied with succulent tannins and the oak (14 months in used French) is well-integrated, lending structure and backbone on the finish. It is very composed and well-crafted, worthy of cellaring for 3 to 5 years. Based in Alfaro in Rioja Baja, Bodegas Palacios Remondo is where Alvaro Palacios wields his talent when not in Priorat (or elsewhere). Given his exacting standards there, it is unsurprising that he has sought to decrease production in order to improve quality. It is also unsurprising that these form an excellent set of Rioja wines, sculpted in a more modern style, although to be truly honest, I found his cheaper wines just as good, if not better than the flagship Propiedad! Importer: Folio Fine Wine Partners, www.foliowine.com