Spain: Palacios Remondo - La Vendimia 2023, Rioja (Organic & Biodynamic, Vegan-Friendly)

Grape variety: 100% Garnacha (Grenache). The vines are farmed organically and biodynamically. 14% alcohol. 

Being organic AND biodynamic involves a great deal of painstaking work - but means zero use of synthetic chemicals and the highest possible respect for the soil, the environment, and you the drinker.

I think La Vendimia is one of the world's greatest value wines - it's in my top 10, without doubt. As is this estate's slightly more expensive La Montesa Crianza (also on our website shop soon).

Beyond the fact that this is a lovely glass of wine with so much fragrant charm, the man in charge of the winemaking, one Alvaro Palacios, is a living legend and several of his wines (from Priorat, Bierzo and Rioja) cost hundreds per bottle while a few often surpass 1,000 euros a bottle.

After studying oenology, Alvaro worked for two years at Bordeaux's legendary Château Pétrus before setting out to make what are now several of Spain's finest wines, in Priorat (Finca Dofi and L'Ermita) and with his nephew in Bierzo. Now 61 years old, he is widely regarded as Spain's greatest winemaker, everything he has involved himself with is of the utmost quality, not just in terms of wine quality but also in terms of his approach to his people, the vineyards, and the environment.

As evidence of this: the historical Palacios Remondo is not his personal estate (unlike his world-renowned vinous ventures in Priorat and Bierzo) - it belongs to his family - but when taking it over in 2000 on the death of his father, the estate quickly moved to organic and biodynamic methods, yields were reduced, and wine quality soared. Not only does he know how to make the finest wine in tiny quantities, he also knows how to deliver a superb £19.50 bottle of wine in somewhat larger amounts!

All of his wines have remarkable fragrance, and the Palacios Remondo wines in particular have a lightness to them that is often Pinot-esque (as in Pinot Noir).

You may notice that on the front label it says "serve chilled" - it's not unusual to be served lighter reds chilled in Spain. Unless you're in the tropics, I wouldn't necessarily drink it fridge-cold, although you certainly can; I tend to leave it around 10 minutes out of the fridge before getting stuck in.

This utterly joyous wine is so perfumed and aromatic, and offers a harmonious blend of red fruit amid touches of floral elegance; it's medium-bodied with a lively acidity keeping it fresh and easy drinking. A simply delightful organic wine....

Food pairing:

GREAT with charcuterie and tapas: e.g. serrano/iberico hams, chorizo, tortilla española. Also roast chicken with herbs, pork tenderloin with paprika or rosemary, soft cheeses such as a young manchego, vegetable-forward dishes, paella, grilled lamb chops, beef skewers; it's a great summer BBQ red!

What the experts say:

The 2023 is yet to be scored but nearly every past vintage has scored a minimum of 90 points (and occasionally 93 points from James Suckling), a high score at this price point.

"Fruit‑forward, fresh, with fine tannins and modern Rioja styling" - Viniou