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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2015 REY DON GARCIA RIOJA Crianza Bodegas Ruconia
Rioja Spain 13% Red
Mazuelo, Tempranillo, Graciano
2016 RIOJA ALAVESA Sierra de Toloño
Rioja Alavesa Rioja Spain 13.5% Red
Tempranillo
Sandra's wines seem to improve with every release. 2016 is a fabulous vintage for her here in the high hills of Alavesa on the north side of Rioja. The lovely long summer season has added a shade...(read more)
L&S
2016 PIES NEGROS RIOJA Crianza Bodegas y Viñedos Artuke
Rioja Spain 14% Red
Tempranillo, Graciano
This juicy Crianza is named ‘black feet’ (Pies Negros) because of the traditional grape treading they still do here at Artuke. Made mostly from Tempranillo with a dash of Graciano, the fruit is f...(read more)
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2015 FINCA DE LOS LOCOS RIOJA Bodegas y Viñedos Artuke
Rioja Spain 13% Red
Tempranillo, Graciano
A single vineyard planted in 1981 by Arturo's father, a rich and serious wine, plenty of depth of flavour and a tannic frame which will see it develop comfortably for ten or more years. As with a...(read more)
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2016 RAPOSO Rioja Sierra de Toloño
Rioja Alavesa Rioja Spain 13% Red
Tempranillo
Sandra has been busy this year and we are delighted she has brought out this new wine from a fantastic new (to her) vineyard of old vine Tempranilllo. Sandra tells us that in Raposo she is able to bottle e...(read more)
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2016 RIOJA Camino de Santa Cruz Sierra de Toloño
Rioja Alavesa Rioja Spain 13% Red
Tempranillo
This wine used to be known as Rivas de Tereso and is one of Sandra's very special, small production releases from a specific old vineyard of pure Tempranillo. As before this is fermented in amphoras and...(read more)
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2016 LA DULA Garnacha Sierra de Toloño
Rioja Alavesa Rioja Spain 13.5% Red
Garnacha
This is a new arrival for Sandra, the results of her work in a 'new' vineyard for her high up on the Alavesa hills. From a single vineyard of Garnacha at 650 metres altitude. This vineyard dates...(read more)
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2009 LA RIOJA ALTA 904 Gran Reserva
Rioja Spain 13.5% Red
Mazuelo, Tempranillo, Graciano
Reflecting the excellence of the vintage, as well as its power, this is the latest in a superb run of 904 Gran Reservas. Combining Tempranillo with 10% Graciano for added backbone and grip, it's...(read more)
Tim Atkin MW, www.timatkin.comORDER
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