Rioja - Red Wines
Such is/was the pre-eminence of Rioja in the Spanish wine market that the name is often used as a catch-all for all Spanish red wine. It is, however, a specific region, hugging the Rio Ebro (but taking its name from a tributary - the Rio Oja) in northern Spain. Much influenced by 19th Century Bordelais wine makers fleeing south from their phylloxera-infested vineyards, Rioja enthusiastically adopted the barrique (a small 225ltr barrel, in Spain made from American rather than French oak) and, thus, Rioja was for many decades intrinsically linked with oak and oaky flavours.
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2018 REY DON GARCIA RIOJA Crianza Bodegas Ruconia
Rioja Alta Rioja Spain 13% Red
Tempranillo, Mazuelo, 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 throughout. Another Rioja that...(read more)
L&S
2014 RIOJA RESERVA Bodegas Ruconia
Rioja Alta Rioja Spain 14% Red
Tempranillo, Mazuelo, Graciano.
Intense, dark, red cherry colour. Strong aromas of tobacco, toasty notes, creamy and ripe blackberry aromas. Round, velvety and full of volume, leaving toasted, spicy notes on the palate.
Winemaker's notes
2019 RIOJA ALAVESA Sierra de Toloño
Rioja Alavesa Rioja Spain 13.5% Red
Tempranillo.
This is another brand-new find and it goes straight onto my ‘wine list’ this month because it is so modern and generous. Grown with some of the highest altitude vineyards in Rioja in the foothills of the Sierra de Tolo&n...(read more)
Matthew Jukes, Moneyweek
2019 RIOJA Pies Negros Crianza Artuke
Rioja Spain Red
Tempranillo, Graciano.
Such a beautiful stylish modern Rioja, deeply fruited with black cherry, plum and dark chocolate. Sleek, ripe and deliciously polished with such amazing depth of flavour. Tannins are ripe and give structure, overlaid wit...(read more)
L&S
2018 XÉRICO Tentenublo
Alavesa Rioja Spain 14% Red
Tempranillo, Viura.
Roberto Oliván's 'very own house wine', the Xerico is co-fermented Tempranillo and Viura, resulting in a spicy, slightly 'sauvage' wine, with an incredible freshness and energy from whole bunch fermentation. Sligh...(read more)
L&S
2019 TENTENUBLO RIOJA TINTO
Alavesa Rioja Spain 14.5% Red
Tempranillo, Viura, Garnacha.
As ever this is a brilliant blend of Tempranillo, Garnacha and Roberto's various co-planted white grapes - mostly Viura.
L&S
2020 LA DULA Garnachas de Altura Sierra de Toloño
Rioja Alavesa Rioja Spain 14% Red
Garnacha.
From old vines that are planted at 700 metres, this is the third release from this very special plot. As ever the wine is extraordinary for its grace, purity and elegant length. Remarkably Pinot Noir 'shaped' Grenache.
L&S
2019 FINCA DE LOS LOCOS RIOJA Artuke
Rioja Spain Red
Tempranillo, Graciano. Certified Organic, Practising Organic
2019 RIOJA Paso Las Mañas Crianza Artuke
Rioja Spain Red
Tempranillo, Graciano. Certified Organic, Vegetarian, Practising Organic
The fruit for this great Rioja is from the family's younger vines - but in a great spot - a high-altitude zone in Samaniego called El Chorro between 600 and 715 metres high. Incredibly nuance and depth for vines that are...(read more)
L&S
2019 LOS CORRILLOS VLAV Tentenublo
Alavesa Rioja Spain 14.5% Red
Tempranillo, Garnacha, Graciano. Bio-dynamic, Vegan, Vegetarian, Practising Organic
Three very old parcels between 70 and 80 years' old supply the grapes for this whole bunch-fermented cuvée of more or less equal parts Garnacha, Tempranillo and Monastrell. Serious, sappy and tannic, this wouldn't...(read more)
Tim Atkin MW, www.timatkin.com
2018 RIOJA Camino de Santa Cruz Sierra de Toloño
Rioja Alavesa Rioja Spain 14% Red
Tempranillo. Practising Organic
This wine is one of Sandra's very special, small production releases from a specific old vineyard of pure Tempranillo. This is fermented in amphoras and then aged for one year in barrels. Incredible purity to this fabulo...(read more)
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