2015 Rioja Crianza la Montesa
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Tasting notes
Youthful violet color. Vibrant red fruit, floral pastille, cola and exotic spice aromas show excellent delineation and pick up a minerally flourish as the wine stretches out. In a juicy, energetic style, offering appealingly sweet raspberry, cherry-cola, star anise and mocha flavors that deepen on the back half. Finishes with resonating red fruit and floral qualities and harmonious tannins that come on late.
Critic scores
Average Score
Luis Gutiérrez, Wine Advocate
Josh Raynolds
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Always a sure value, the 2015 La Montesa, has been increasing the amount of Garnacha in its blend, and here it reached 92% with the remaining 8% being Tempranillo. La Montesa is the name of a large estate where different lieux-dits, or "parajes" in Spanish, contribute to the blend of Valtomelloso, Valfrio and Valviejo. The grapes were hand-picked throughout October, then destemmed, crushed and fermented with indigenous yeasts in stainless steel vats, with remontage, where it also underwent malolactic fermentation. The wine matured in barrel for 12 months before being bottled. There is a big jump from La Vendimia to La Montesa in finesse, freshness and subtleness. The tannins are ultrafine, and the flavors are intense and deep, with some spicy undertones and a very tasty finish. Amazingly good. A whopping 650,000 bottles and some other formats produced. The quality is amazing for the volume, and it's also a good value.