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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2022 ARTUKE Rioja
Rioja Spain 13.5% Red
Viura, Tempranillo.
It's Rioja Jim, but not as we know it! Partial carbonic maceration to promote the bright primary fruitiness of the Tempranillo, raspberry and juicy cherry, sappy and bright, with a thirst quenching tang. There's some lov...(read more)
L&S
2019 REY DON GARCIA RIOJA Crianza Bodegas Ruconia
Rioja Alta Rioja Spain 13% Red
Tempranillo, Graciano, Mazuelo.
2020 RIOJA ALAVESA Sierra de Toloño
Rioja Alavesa Rioja Spain 13.5% Red
Tempranillo. Practising Organic
Ten years ago Sandra Bravo brought us the 2012 vintage of this, her first wine made back 'at home' after honing her winemaking skills around the world, and it transformed our way of thinking about Rioja. At 400 metres up...(read more)
L&S
2014 RIOJA RESERVA Bodegas Ruconia
Rioja Alta Rioja Spain 14% Red
Tempranillo, Graciano, Mazuelo.
This really is a superb vintage of this wine, so much to love in the more traditional Rioja style here, liquorice, coffee, meat juices, leather, redcurrants, herbs and cedar. But the palate then delivers everything in su...(read more)
L&S
PRESS
2019 TENTENUBLO RIOJA TINTO
Alavesa Rioja Spain 14.5% Red
Viura, Tempranillo, Garnacha.
As ever this is a brilliant blend of Tempranillo, Garnacha and Roberto's various co-planted white grapes - mostly Viura.
L&S
2018 XÉRICO Tentenublo
Alavesa Rioja Spain 14% Red
Viura, Tempranillo.
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
2021 LA DULA Garnachas de Altura Sierra de Toloño
Rioja Alavesa Rioja Spain 14% Red
Garnacha. Certified Organic
From old vines that are planted at 700 metres, this is the fourth release from this very special plot. As ever the wine is extraordinary for its grace, purity and elegant length. Remarkably Pinot Noir 'shaped' Grenache....(read more)
L&S
2019 RIOJA Paso Las Mañas Crianza Artuke
Rioja Spain 14% Red
Tempranillo. Certified Organic, Practising Organic, Vegetarian
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. Incredible nuance and depth for vines that are...(read more)
L&S
2020 RIOJA Paso Las Mañas Crianza Artuke
Rioja Spain 14% Red
Tempranillo, Graciano. Certified Organic
Anyone who argues that you need old vines to make a great wine in Rioja, or elsewhere, needs to visit Paso Las Mañas, which was planted in 2013 at an extreme 720 metres in Samaniego. Mountain herb aromas are a pre...(read more)
Tim Atkin MW, www.timatkin.com
2016 LA RIOJA ALTA Reserva Viña Ardanza
Rioja Spain 14.5% Red
Tempranillo, Graciano, Mazuelo.
The 2016 Viña Ardanza Reserva was produced with 80% Tempranillo and 20% Garnacha that matured in used American oak barrels for three years, where it was hand-racked from barrel to barrel six times in the case of T...(read more)
Luis Gutierrez, www.robertparker.com
2019 LOS CORRILLOS VLAV Tentenublo
Alavesa Rioja Spain 14% Red
Tempranillo, Graciano, Garnacha. Practising Organic, Bio-dynamic, Vegan, Vegetarian
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.comORDER
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