Bodegas Palacios Remondo 2014 La Montesa - 91pts

Bodegas Palacios Remondo 2014 La Montesa (Rioja D.O.) Spain

Availability: Limited.
Cost: $20-25
Alcohol: 14.4%
Date Tasted: September 20th, 2019

Tasting Notes: An uber-smooth, concentrated blend of 85% Garnacha and 15% Tempranillo, La Montesa is fermented in stainless steel vessels with natural yeasts and sees only one year in oak, imparting nearly no influence, leaving a fresh and rich, fruit-driven medley of ripe and dried red berries with toasty spices and earth notes supporting. Ready to go now. Drink now-2022.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2019 IconWines.ca

Rolland Galarreta 2010 Tempranillo - 90+pts

Rolland Galarreta 2010 Tempranillo (Rioja DO) Spain

Availability: Limited.
Cost: $35-45 + taxes
Alcohol: 14%
Date Tasted: September 30th, 2017

Tasting Notes: From the cellar: A co-production from uber-Bordeaux consultant Michel Rolland and Rioja royalty Javier Galarreta, this is a big, maturing, tannin-drenched wine made from 100% Tempranillo grapes, offering concentrated, red and dark fruit with layers of scorched earth, leather, vanilla, light bacon grease and a plethora of spices on the nose and palate.

At 7 years of age, this wine is ready to go now, though, I'm inclined to let the remaining bottle age until 2020 to see how further ageing affects the still prominent tannins. Drink now-2020.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2017 IconWines.ca

Bodegas Muga 2009 Selección Especial - 93-94pts

Bodegas Muga 2009 Selección Especial (Rioja DO) Spain

Availability: Private wine shops like Everything Wine
Cost: $50.99
Alcohol: 14%
Date Tasted: July 25th, 2014

Tasting Notes: This beautiful, spicy, femme-fatale from Rioja is a blend of 70% Tempranillo, 20% Garnacha, 7% Mazuelo and 3% Graciano and oozes sex appeal on the nose with powerful, layered aromas of pot-pourri, raspberry, cherry, anise, cardamom, vanilla, dusty rocks and toasted oak. The palate is a little more restrained, yet, equally complex and layered, with silky-smooth tannins and the weight and finesse of a Brunello. Look for cherry-cola, menthol, vanilla, mineral, spice and red fruit purée flavours. The constant theme of spice continues through to the long, balanced finish.

Ready to go now, with a long decant, though, another 2-3 years of bottle age should foster further development. Drink 2016-2024.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2014 IconWines.ca (with notes from Jordan Carrier)