Palacios Remondo Quinon La Valmira, Producer
Palacios Remondo, situated in Alfaro within Rioja Oriental, the eastern and warmest sector of the Rioja appellation, is a winery owned by the Palacios Remondo family. The soil in this area is characterized by its silt and alluvial composition, and the climate, semi-arid and Mediterranean, is ideal for cultivating Garnacha. This grape variety is now making a resurgence in prominence within the region, reclaiming attention that had been dominated by the more widely favoured Tempranillo for decades.
Palacios Remondo Quinon La Valmira, Winemaking
The grapes come exclusively from a single vineyard – the Paraje del Quiñón de Valmira plot from which it gets name. The plot has vineyards of around 30 years old, and is located on a gently sloping hillside with chalky soil.
The grapes are handpicked at the ideal ripeness. Once at the winery, they undergo destemming and gentle crushing, initiating alcoholic fermentation in wooden vats with their natural yeasts. The resultant wine undergoes spontaneous malolactic fermentation in barrels and ages in large French wooden casks and smaller barrels for approximately 18 months.
Palacios Remondo Quinon La Valmira 2021
The 2021 vintage stands out for its harmony and beautifully judged ripeness, reflecting one of the finest recent growing seasons in Rioja.
The nose opens with an ethereal perfume of ripe raspberry and wild strawberry, lifted by violet and rose petal. Hints of orange peel, honey and exotic spice add further complexity, while a subtle touch of dark fruit and pepper recalls the elegance of a fine Northern Rhône. There is also a Burgundian finesse here, reminiscent of Chambolle-Musigny.
On the palate, vibrant red cherry, sour cherry and sweet raspberry unfold over a silky, weightless texture. A fine saline minerality and delicate spice, reminiscent of chilli flake and rosehip, add detail and lift. Fine-grained tannins and bright acidity provide structure, while notes of sea buckthorn and gentle aniseed lend further nuance.
What sets the wine apart is its balance: ripe fruit is matched by a cool, refreshing finish that keeps the wine poised and graceful despite its depth.
Palacios Remondo Quinon La Valmira 2023
The 2023 Quiñón de Valmira beautifully balances delicacy with quiet power, a hallmark of Álvaro Palacios’ finest work. Sourced from a single limestone-rich vineyard at 616 metres on the slopes of Mount Yerga in Rioja Oriental, this Grenache expresses both finesse and depth.
The nose is lifted and perfumed, offering aromas of wild strawberry, tangerine peel and rose petal, intertwined with mountain herbs and a subtle stony smokiness. On the palate it moves seamlessly between elegance and concentration, with supple red fruit, a silky texture and bright, crystalline acidity supported by fine, gently gripping tannins. The finish is long, pure and vibrant, leaving a lasting sense of energy and precision.
Palacios Remondo Quinon La Valmira Awards
2021 Vintage
Robert Parker 97-100/100 Points
James Suckling 98/100 Points
2023 Vintage
The Wine Advocate 100/100 Points
Wine-Searcher 98/100 Points
Food pairing suggestion: Rabbit au vin.
There are no reviews yet.