Three wines from Palacios Vinos de Finca, among Tim Atkin’s ‘Wines of the year’.

Palacios Vinos de Finca continues to reap excellent scores in international rankings. The latest to publish its ratings has been the prestigious Tim Atkin in his Rioja 2024 Special Report. The British Master of Wine has awarded more than 90 points to eight of our wines and three of them have exceeded 95 points, a rating that places them among the 'Wines of the year', the podium of the best rated wines. La Canal del Rojo 2019, with 96 points; Puerto Rubio 2020, with 95 points and Valdesabril 2021, with 95 points are the three wines that have obtained the best ratings.

The rest, also in a very good position, are rated between 90 and 94 points: Nivarius Edición limitada 2020, with 94 points; Finca La Nevera 2019 with 93; Proelio Viñedos viejos 2020 with 93; Lía Reserva 2017, with 93 points and, finally, Lía Pét-Nat with 90 points.

"To put my scores in context, I consider 85-89 points to be equivalent to a bronze medal, 90-94 to a silver medal and 95+ to a gold medal. Of the 1,332 wines I tasted this year, 128 (the equivalent of 9.6%) scored 95 points or more, compared to 124 (8.3% of the total) in my last report," he explains.

It should be noted that Tim Atkin's assessments are based on his own tasting experience in wineries. To this end, in October 2023 the prescriptor made a three-week trip to Rioja during which he tasted 1,332 wines.

In addition, the British specialist has included our winery in the category of 'Second Growhts', a select group of 20 wineries that stand out for their quality.

Atkin's publication analyses the quality and characteristics of Rioja wines. "The main point that emerges from the report is diversity. Rioja produces a greater variety of quality wines than any other region in the world," says Atkin.

The scores

• La Canal del Rojo 2019: 96 points
• Puerto Rubio 2020: 95 points
• Valdesabril 2021: 95 points
• Nivarius Limited Edition 2020: 94 points
• Finca La Nevera 2019: 93 points
• Proelio Viñedos viejos 2020: 93 points
• Lía Reserva 2017: 93 points
• Lía Pét-Nat: 90 points

Evaluation of La Canal del Rojo 2019 (96 points): Perhaps a little riper than the 2018 release, but still an excellent Garnacha in its own right. Sourced from a 98-year-old vineyard planted with old masal selection. Structured, ferrous and slightly sanguine, it has notes of clove and white pepper from 40% whole bunches, blackcurrant and black cherry flavours and a mineral core.

Assessment of Puerto Rubio 2020 (95 points): "A chalky wine" is how Raúl Tamayo describes this pure Tempranillo from stone pudding and limestone soils in San Vicente de la Sonsierra. Attractively dense, bright and refreshing, it is an excellent third version of this wine, with perfumed, nuanced oak, sinewy tannins and layers of cassis and blackberry fruit. Long and distinguished.

Assessment of Valdesabril 2021 (95 points): There are only 2,000 bottles of this wine, but do your best to hunt one down. Sourced from a 77-year-old vineyard in Baños de Río Tobia, this is an impressive Viura varietal with subtle oak nuances, flavours of white pepper, citrus and pear, a touch of salt and a waxy, savoury finish. Nivarius is today consolidated as one of the best white wine wineries in Riojas.