I was really taken by the 2020 Propiedad, a pale and bright ruby-colored wine with subtleness and elegance despite its 14.5% alcohol. The old vines are a majority of Garnacha and maybe 8% other varieties. The wine is floral, with notes of stone fruit, clean and without fissures, seamless, quite showy and with a terrific sense of balance and elegance. 21,861 bottles and 105 magnums were filled in February 2022.

The 2019 Propiedad was produced with grapes (mostly Garnacha but also some 8% other traditional varieties) from organically farmed vineyards in the lieu-dits (parajes) Las Mulgas, Valfrío, Valviejo and Corral de Serrano in Alfaro. It fermented in 15,000-liter oak vats with indigenous yeasts, and the wine matured in 5,000-liter oak vats and some 2,000-liter foudres in a more traditional way, not in the barrique that arrived in Rioja from Bordeaux, for 18 months. The vineyard in Las Mulgas is the one that dominates this blend with the depth and clout of the old vines. This is like a village vieilles vignes from Alfaro, just phenomenal, expressive and elegant with a powerful yet fresh mouthfeel with very fine tannins and the rich flavors from the ripe Garnacha in the finish. It should develop nicely in bottle. 22,500 bottles and 100 magnums were produced. It was bottled in May 2021. There was no 2018 of this wine, as they don't bottle it when they don't feel it has the required quality. It's curious, it seems like they only bottle it in warmer vintages, as they skipped 2013, 2014, 2016 and 2018, and there won't be a 2020 either...

The old-vine Garnacha 2017 Propiedad was produced with grapes coming from organically farmed vineyards in Las Mulgas, Valfrío, Valviejo and Corral de Serrano in Alfaro, vineyards that are organically farmed. The destemmed and crushed grapes fermented in oak vats with indigenous yeasts and the wine matured in larger oak vats (mostly 5,000-liter) for 12 months. It has the Mediterranean profile of the vintage with some jovial notes of orange peel and red cherries intermixed with aromatic herbs. The palate reveals fine-grained, slightly dusty tannins. The palate has more freshness than what you expect from the notes on the nose. This wine has a good evolution in bottle even in warmer years like this or 2015. 30,000 bottles produced. It was bottled in May 2019.

No 2013 or 2014 was produced of the old-vine selection, so I tasted the 2015 Propiedad, a pure Garnacha since 2010. But, as it's selected from old vines in five plots in different "parajes"—Valtomelloso, Valviejo, Las Mulgas and Corral de Serrano—it always has a small percentage of other traditional grape varieties. The vines range from 30 to 90 years old, and like the rest, they are organically farmed. The destemmed and crushed grapes fermented in oak vats with indigenous yeasts and pigéage. It underwent malolactic in barrique and then matured in larger oak casks for 18 months. Again, there is a difference in precision, brightness and depth from la Montesa to this Propiedad. This is, in Palacios's mind, an old-vine cuvée from Alfaro. The palate combines juicy fruit with earthy tones, very fine tannins and balsamic, Mediterranean herbs and a tasty, almost salty finish. Transparent, subtle and delicious, with some hints of the wines from yesteryear. For Palacios, this should be the typical wine from Alfaro—and a very good one at that! 40,000 bottles produced. It was bottled in June 2017. There will be no Propiedad in 2016; it's only produced in some vintages.

This generous red delivers macerated cherry, toasted vanilla, spice, floral and dried herb flavors in a seamless, silky texture, supported by light, well-integrated tannins and enough acidity to stay fresh. Drink now through 2020. 5,850 cases made, 200 cases imported.??–TM??Region: Spain / Rioja Select to Add