Alvaro Palacios Winery (10 Elegant Spanish Wines, Prices 2024)

The renowned Spanish winemaker Alvaro Palacios is credited for putting Priorat on the world wine map. 

His Garnacha-based L'Ermita wine is a highly collectible one - on par with the likes of Vega Sicilia and Dominio de Pingus.

Let's find out all about this iconic winemaker and his winery, the different wine styles, the best wines you should invest in, and how investment-worthy they are.

Awe-Inspiring Facts About Alvaro Palacios

• Alvaro Palacios was born into Rioja's respected Palacios Remondo winery - a prestigious winemaking family.
• Alvaro Palacios studied enology in Bordeaux and worked alongside Jean Pierre Moueix at Château Petrus and Mouton Rothschild.
• After returning to his family’s Domaine from Chateau Petrus, he found fantastic old vines in a Domaine that sits atop the hill L'Ermita. 
• With its unique terroir, well drained schist, and slate soil, the vineyard was perfect for growing the Grenache (or Garnacha) grape variety for his flagship Priorat wine.
• Today, Alvaro Palacios manages estates in three major wine districts of Spain - Rioja, Bierzo, and Priorat. Additionally, he co-owns the Descendientes de J. Palacios winery with his nephew Ricardo Perez.
• Alvaro introduced an appellation hierarchy similar to the Burgundian ideas of Villages and Cru to Priorat. Together with winemaker Rene Barbier, he helped establish the ‘Gratallops Project,’ the first sub-DO in Catalonia.
• Alvaro Palacios was named ‘Young Winemaker Of The Year’ in 2008 by the ‘Grand Jury Europeén (GJE).’ He was awarded “Man of the Year 2015” by Decanter Magazine and ‘Winemaker of the Year 2016’ by the Institute of Masters of Wine. He’s also a member of the Nobel Order of Wine Knights.  

Let’s take a look at the wines from this prestigious winery.

The Elegant Wines Of Alvaro Palacios

Alvaro Palacios produces a variety of single-vineyard and blended wines using Garnacha, Carignan (or Carinena), Syrah, and Cabernet Sauvignon. 

Here are the styles of wine he produces in Priorat, Bierzo, and Rioja:

A. Priorat

• L’Ermita: First produced in 1993, this is one of the highest-priced red wines in Spain. Ablend of 80% Garnacha, 16% Cabernet Sauvignon and 4% Carignan.
• Camins del Priorat: Alvaro's knowledge of vineyard sources inspired him to craft this affordable and elegant wine. A blend of 50% Garnacha, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Carignan, 10% Syrah, and 5% Merlot, and aged in French oak vats.
• Les Terrasses: This red wine with balsamic aromas is a blend of 55% Garnacha and 45% Carignan and aged in French oak vats.

B. Bierzo

• Pétalos Del Bierzo: Produced in the Descendientes de J. Palacios winery, from the Mencia grape varietal. The old vines are planted on slate soil, and the wine is aged in French oak barrels.

C. Rioja

• La Montesa: Produced by Bodegas Palacios Remondo, this red wine is made from the Garnacha grape. Fermentation occurs in stainless steel tanks, oak bocoyes, and American oak barrels. 
• Propiedad: Made from old Garnacha vines, it is the flagship wine of the Palacios Remondo winery. The blend is fermented in large oak bocoyes using indigenous yeasts.  
• Placet: The only white wine from the estate made using Viura white grapes sourced from the La Montesa. The carefully selected white grapes undergo fermentation in oval foudres with native yeasts.

Want to experience a bottle of wine from Alvaro Palacios for yourself?

10 Exceptional Alvaro Palacios Wines To Buy In 2024 (Including Tasting Notes, Prices)

Here are some of the best wines from Alvaro Palacios - ranging from elegant and expensive to youthful and economical. 

1. 2013 Alvaro Palacios L'Ermita Velles Vinyes Priorat DOCa, Spain ($2397)

This breathtaking wine has delicious flavors of berries, dried wild herb, and licorice. This great wine received a perfect 100 from Robert Parker. 

2. 2012 Alvaro Palacios L'Ermita Velles Vinyes Priorat DOCa, Spain ($1434)

This Grenache grape varietal wine has lively fruity aromas complemented by firm tannins. The palate has intense notes of blackberries, black fruit, oak, and a rich minerality. 

3. 2015 Alvaro Palacios Quinon de Valmira Rioja DOCa, Spain ($451)

This spectacular Rioja wine has an expressive aroma of red fruit, hints of nectarine, and other herbs. This energetic red wine has a silky texture, a structured tannin level, and a long finish. 

4. 2017 Alvaro Palacios Les Aubaguetes Priorat DOCa, Spain ($338)

This blend of Carinena and Garnacha has captivating aromas of black cherry, violets, tobacco, and oak. It has a ripe and fruity palate that ends with a smooth lingering finish. 

5. 2018 Alvaro Palacios 'La Baixada' Priorat DOCa, Spain ($222)

This Garnacha wine has a wonderful floral bouquet. It has a fruity flavor profile with medium acidity and supple tannin. 

6. 1994 Alvaro Palacios Finca Dofi Priorat DOCa, Spain ($180)

Here’s a classic Cabernet – Garnacha – Merlot – Syrahblend, with amazing balsamic aromas. This vintage has a flavor profile of red cherry, cinnamon, and wild herb. 

7. 2010 Alvaro Palacios Finca Dofi Priorat DOCa, Spain ($155)

This is a bold and structured red wine with dark chocolate, cherry, and vanilla aromas. It has a full-bodied palate with tasting notes of ripe fruits and licorice. 

8. 2007 Alvaro Palacios Vi de Vila Gratallops Priorat DOCa, Spain ($72)

This great wine is a rare red blend with earthy notes of cassis, red berries, vanilla, and spice. It has a dry tannic palate with medium acidity and a pleasant finish. 

9. 1990 Alvaro Palacios 'Les Terrasses' Velles Vinyes Priorat DOCa, Spain ($70)

This ruby-colored Spanish wine is a rich blend of Carignan - Garnacha - Syrah. It has a vibrant flavor profile of plum, cherry, raspberry, and tobacco. 

10. 2016 Alvaro Palacios Camins del Priorat Priorat DOCa, Spain ($28)

A crisp, fruity wine with a lively bouquet of plums, minerals, and mushrooms. This excellent Priorat wine received a score of 90 from the Wine Spectator. 

Should You Invest In Wines From Alvaro Palacios?

The Alvaro Palacios Spanish wines are as sought-after as the iconic Pingus wine. 

The wines of Alvaro Palacios gained global recognition in 2003 when one bottle of 1999 Ermita was sold at an auction for $680 to a New York City buyer.

Additionally, Wine Spectator featured the 1995 vintage of L’Ermita among its Top 100 Wines.

The value of these wines have seen a steady increase. The 2016 Alvaro Palacios L'Ermita Velles Vinyes climbed up by 40% from $1046 to $1469 in a year (2020 to 2021.)

Want to add a bottle of L’Ermita to your collection with ease?

Add One of Spain’s Most Collectable Wines To Your Cellar! 

Over the last 30 years, Alvaro Palacios’s winemaking philosophy has transformed Spain’s wine making scene and has created some of the country’s finest wines.

Palacios' extraordinary wines belong in every serious collector’s cellar.

And, they can become a part of your collection too!

Invest in Alvaro Palacios wines or other Spanish wines with a trustedonline wine investment company like Vinovest. Visit the website to know more.