La Montesa 2022

La Montesa 2022 is made by Palacios Remondo, the family estate of Álvaro Palacios in Alfaro, in the warmer, lower Rioja Oriental. Garnacha leads the blend, supported by other red varieties, grown organically on the chalk and clay slopes of the Monte Yerga. Garnacha thrives on these poor, well-drained soils, which limit vigour and concentrate the fruit, while the altitude and cool nights hold the acidity that keeps the wine fresh despite the warm site. The grapes are fermented by parcel and the wine is aged for around twelve months in French and American oak. Oak ageing at this length softens the tannin and adds a measured frame of spice and vanilla through slow oxygen exchange across the staves, without burying the Garnacha fruit. The colour is bright cherry red. The nose shows fresh red cherry, raspberry and a lift of Mediterranean herbs and pepper. The palate is medium bodied and supple, with ripe but fine tannin, fresh acidity and a long savoury finish of red fruit and liquorice. Serve at 16 to 17C, decanting briefly if young.