Spain
Of course, you can’t talk about Spanish red wine without mentioning Rioja. Sometime erroneously taken to mean all Spanish red wines, the wines of Rioja are from a specific region in northern Spain hugging the Rio Ebro. One of the Ebro’s tributaries lends the region its name – the Rio Oja. The synthesis of Garnacha and Tempranillo with American oak barrels is a style of wine much copied in Spain but rarely without. The reliance on long wood ageing has been tempered in recent years to an extent, but oak still defines the classic Rioja.
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2018 CHAVAL Bobal 'Ecologica' Bodegas Nodus
Valencia Spain 13% Red
Bobal. Organic
The Chaval Bobal has been a hit since we first discovered it a couple of years ago. Bobal is well disposed to producing supple and characterful reds and this is no exception. Plum and boysenberry...(more info)
L&S
PRESS
2018 GARNACHA Bodegas y Viñedos Monfil
Cariñena Spain 13.5% Red
Garnacha, Syrah.
Just as juicily packed with fruit as the 2017, possibly a little less structured and tannic, and already great fun to drink. There is a joyous nose of dark cherry, damson and raspberry, all backe...(more info)
L&S
2018 OLD HANDS Monastrell Ecológico Bodegas La Purisima
Yecla Spain 13.5% Red
Monastrell. Organic
Yet again this collective of old farmers in Yecla, the 'Old Hands' have come up trumps. Organically grown Monastrell (Mourvedre) is picked at perfect ripeness and results in this startling value...(more info)
L&S
2018 TALENTO Monastrell Ecológico Ego Bodegas
Jumilla Spain 14% Red
Monastrell. Vegetarian, Vegan, Organic
Harvest is quite late here to allow the Monastrell (Mouvedre) to reach peak maturity - and the grapes are brought in during the first week of October. The estate works organically and the Monastr...(more info)
L&S
2018 MUNIA TORO Roble 8 Meses Bodegas Viñaguareña
Toro Spain 14.5% Red
Tinta de Toro.
Cherry red colour with garnet rims, middle layer, clean and bright. Intense, meaty, complex, with notes of aromatic herbs (mint), licorice, eucalyptus, floral notes (jasmine, white rose), a miner...(more info)
Winemaker's notes
2016 REY DON GARCIA RIOJA Crianza Bodegas Ruconia
Rioja Alta Rioja Spain 13% Red
Mazuelo, Tempranillo, Graciano.
A lovely Crianza from Bodegas Ruconia. This is a firm favourite at L&S. Lots of lively cherry fruit wrapped up in attractive vanilla oak. Medium bodied, the wine holds a good high tone throug...(more info)
L&S
2018 PRIOS MAXIMUS Roble Bodegas de Los Rios Prieto
Ribera del Duero Spain Red
Tinto Fino.
100% Tempranillo hand harvested from the Pesquera vineyards from 25 year old vines, then aged for 6 months in American oak barrels. Intense, fresh red cherries, blackberries and redcurrants on th...(more info)
L&S
PAIRING
2019 ARTUKE Rioja
Rioja Spain 13.5% Red
Viura, Tempranillo. Bio-dynamic, Organic
The sheer drink-ability of this wine marked it out from the first time we tasted it with the 2015 release. A blend of mostly Tempranillo with a splash of Viura and made using carbonic maceration...(more info)
L&S
2018 ACUMA Ego Bodegas
Jumilla Spain Red
Monastrell, Syrah, Petit Verdot.
This has super intense fruit aromas and a really saturated, cassis, dark-cherry and plum palate with such silky and soft, ripe tannins. A blend of monastrell, syrah and petit verdot. Drink or hol...(more info)
James Suckling, www.jamessuckling.comORDER
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