Rioja
Rioja, one of Spain's most esteemed wine regions, is renowned for its exceptional fine wines. With a winemaking tradition that spans centuries, Rioja is celebrated for its unique terroir, diverse grape varieties, and the artistry of its winemakers. Situated in northern Spain, Rioja produces wines that embody the rich history and passion of Spanish winemaking.
One of the most famous vineyards in Rioja is Bodegas Marqués de Riscal, a historic winery that has been producing wines since 1858. Their wines, including the iconic Marqués de Riscal Reserva and Marqués de Riscal Gran Reserva, are renowned for their elegance, complexity, and age-worthiness.
Another esteemed vineyard is Bodegas López de Heredia Viña Tondonia, known for its traditional winemaking practices and long-aged wines. Their Viña Tondonia Reserva and Viña Tondonia Gran Reserva are highly sought-after by wine enthusiasts seeking the classic Rioja style.
Rioja is primarily known for its red wines, which are crafted predominantly from the Tempranillo grape variety. Notable vineyards such as Bodegas Muga, Bodegas Roda, and Bodegas CVNE (Compañía Vinícola del Norte de España) produce exceptional red wines that showcase the region's unique characteristics. These wines display flavours of ripe red fruit, subtle oak influence, well-integrated tannins, and a remarkable balance.
Rioja also offers notable white wines, mainly made from the Viura grape variety. Bodegas Riojanas, Bodegas Ontañón, and Bodegas Valdemar are among the renowned vineyards that produce exquisite white wines with vibrant acidity, citrus flavours, and a refreshing crispness.
The region's wines are often classified into four categories: Rioja, Crianza, Reserva, and Gran Reserva, indicating the aging process and quality level. This classification system ensures consistent quality and allows wine lovers to choose wines based on their preferred style and maturity.
Rioja's fine wines beautifully capture the essence of the region, showcasing a harmonious balance between tradition and innovation. Whether you're savouring a well-aged Reserva, a vibrant Crianza, or a complex Gran Reserva, Rioja's wines promise an unforgettable experience that reflects the region's winemaking heritage and dedication to excellence.
Rioja
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(6x75cl) 2017Introducing the Telmo Rodriguez Rioja Las Beatas 2017, an iconic masterpiece by renowned winemaker, Telmo Rodriguez. Born out of the prestigious Rioja region in Spain, this wine is a celebration of ancient, low-yield vineyards, cultivated on mixed clay and limestone terraces at altitudes of 550-600 metres. Rodriguez heroically restored these near-extinct, bush-vine Tempranillo vineyards to their original glory, embedding the rich history and unique terroir in each bottle.
Fermented in opened wooden vats and aged for 15 months in fine French oak barrels, this exquisite wine boasts tantalising red fruit, wildflower, spice and earthy tones, gracefully balanced with vibrant acidity and impeccable structure. The Telmo Rodriguez Rioja Las Beatas 2017 genuinely encapsulates Rodriguez's devotion to artisan winemaking and conservation, setting the benchmark for pure, focused Tempranillo of unique depth and complexity. A highly coveted, ethereal expression of Rioja; it's certainly a must-have for discerning collectors and enthusiasts alike.
Inc. VAT£1,063.56 -
Delight in the exquisite Telmo Rodriguez Rioja Las Beatas 2018, a Spanish masterpiece hailed from the prestigious Rioja region. Esteemed winemaker, Telmo Rodriguez, meticulously crafts this wine from single-vineyard grapes harvested from a plot of pre-phylloxera, bush-trained vines averaging 100 years old.
Renowned for his commitment to authentic Spanish terroirs, Rodriguez uses minimal intervention techniques. This approach allows the vineyard's unique qualities to shine through in the Telmo Rodriguez Rioja Las Beatas 2018. Each bottle reflects the profound mineral complexity of its calcareous clay soil, and the region's robust continental climate.
The wine exudes an elegant balance of bright red fruit, delicate floral notes, and sophisticated spice accents. Aged for 15 months in French oak, the Telmo Rodriguez Rioja Las Beatas 2018 captivates the palate and exemplifies the very best of traditional Spanish winemaking.
Inc. VAT£2,003.15 -
Destined to impress the discerning oenophile, the Telmo Rodriguez Rioja Las Beatas 2019 is an absolute masterpiece of Spanish winemaking. Crafted by the esteemed Telmo Rodriguez, one of Spain's pioneering winemakers, this vintage talks volumes about Rodriguez's commitment to preserving old vineyards and traditional methods. The Las Beatas vineyard, nestled in the Rioja Alavesa region, benefits from distinctive calcareous clay soils and a unique microclimate. This favourably influences the delicately hand-picked Tempranillo grapes used to produce this wine. The vinification process involves 14 months of maturation in French oak barrels, lending a refined complexity to the end product.
Upon sipping, expect the Telmo Rodriguez Rioja Las Beatas 2019 to unveil notes of ripe red fruit, spiced undertones and delicious hints of vanilla. Admire its depth in colour and intricate layers of flavour which unfurl with each sip. This is an extraordinary testament to high-quality, artisant production, and an exclusive opportunity to experience Spanish viticulture at its finest.
Inc. VAT£1,031.58 -
Wine Advocate (99)
The super elegant, perfumed and floral 2020 Las Beatas comes from grapes harvested on the eighth of October, normal dates despite the warmer year after suffering hail in May, but some rain in September slowed things down. This is a very regular wine even in a strange year when Graciano ripened before Tempranillo. The wine, produced with zero technology, like the wines from yesteryear, has moderate ripeness and 14% alcohol. Despite being in the glass for over one hour, it didn't show any signs of ripeness at all. It has a very sleek and silky palate with refined, ultra-elegant tannins that give it a superb texture. This is one of the greatest wines from Rioja and from Spain, with clockwork regularity. 1,527 bottles were filled in April 2022.Inc. VAT£1,091.58 -
Wine Advocate (100)
It's always a very exciting moment when tasting a new vintage of what has quickly become one of the icons from Rioja, especially when it's a great year. The 2021 Las Beatas is super elegant, very shy in the beginning (it was very cold too), subtle, elegant, insinuating and floral, developing notes of orange peel with time in the glass, and it has stunning balance and harmony. It's a field blend of eight or nine local varieties fermented with indigenous yeasts in 3,000-liter open-top oak vats and matured in 1,200-liter foudres for 14 to 16 months. The mouthfeel is silky, elegant, super balanced with very elegant tannins, harmonious, seamless, precise, clean and symmetric. Stunning. 1,521 bottles produced. It was bottled in May 2023.Inc. VAT£595.98 -
Jane Anson Inside Bordeaux (98)
The talented Telmo Rodriguez is launching this wine onto the Place with its first vintage for the entirety of its production. The grapes are from a 3.8ha limestone-dominant plot within the family’s Remelluri estate, found in the foothills of the Sierra de Tolono mountains. A sweet and smoky attack, with a ton of flavours and fragrant aromatics that grab hold and hang on, from dense liquorice root to crushed stones to blueberry, redcurrant, rose petals and tobacco, nothing too much or too overwhelming, but you also feel the herb-strewn call of the vineyard and you want to be there, among the vines where this is made. Get hold of it now, enjoy the brilliance of Telmo Rodriguez and the sense of place that he can bring to a wine. A field blend, as with the brilliant Remelluri Blanco, with just over 7,000 bottles in this inaugural vintage. An outstanding first outing that you should be following - believe me, this is a cult wine in the making.Inc. VAT£329.16 -
James Suckling (100)
Such a deep yet complex and sophisticated nose, showing discretion, perfume and finesse. A hint of violet extract to the black cherries, crushed blueberries and cocoa powder aromas, together with Spanish cigars that slowly evolve to truffle, black pepper, incense and freshly chopped herbs. Juicy, yet really composed and dry, with medium to full body and abundant, immaculately fine-grained tannins that unwind evenly on the palate. A style that is restrainedly plush and refined, showing superb precision, cohesion and length, when you give it enough time in your glass. If Las Beatas is the fine Burgundy, then this would be Telmo Rodriguez’s Rioja answer to world-class Bordeaux. Decant it to let the complexity come through. Drink through the next 20 plus years.Inc. VAT£329.99 -
Jane Anson Inside Bordeaux (100)
I tasted this at the property from barrel, thrilled to follow it now in bottle. Grabs you from the first moments with its sage, thyme, dried flowers and incense aromatics, clings to your nostrils, drawing you in, so much depth of flavour to the vivid raspberry and sour cherry fruits, delicate and yet powerful. Hard to describe how little artifice is conveyed in the glass, it's not a wine that is coated in new oak, instead it is delicate, poised, crafted, utterly gorgeous, so moreish. Harvest October 6 to 18, 3.8ha, old gobelet vines, with any replacements coming from massal selction. Iconic winemaking partnership Telmo Rodriguez and Pablo Eguzkiza. I hope everyone folllowed my advice from the first vintage to get on board because it is more than living up to its potential, and its tiny quatities means that first come are almost certainly first served.Inc. VAT£360.18 -
Jane Anson Inside Bordeaux (100)
I tasted this at the property from barrel, thrilled to follow it now in bottle. Grabs you from the first moments with its sage, thyme, dried flowers and incense aromatics, clings to your nostrils, drawing you in, so much depth of flavour to the vivid raspberry and sour cherry fruits, delicate and yet powerful. Hard to describe how little artifice is conveyed in the glass, it's not a wine that is coated in new oak, instead it is delicate, poised, crafted, utterly gorgeous, so moreish. Harvest October 6 to 18, 3.8ha, old gobelet vines, with any replacements coming from massal selction. Iconic winemaking partnership Telmo Rodriguez and Pablo Eguzkiza. I hope everyone folllowed my advice from the first vintage to get on board because it is more than living up to its potential, and its tiny quatities means that first come are almost certainly first served.Inc. VAT£746.15 -
Wine Advocate (96+)
The nose of the 2020 Yjar developed very floral notes with time in the glass, making it very aromatic, expressive and elegant. This is completely different from the other two reds, as this comes from a specific plot. It reveals the finesse of the marl soils and the austerity of the stones. It was a year of sorting and discarding (they had hail) to achieve the consistency they look for in this wine. The different varieties co-planted in the vineyard fermented together (there's more Garnacha here) in open-top oak vats with indigenous yeasts. The wine matured in foudres and barrels of different sizes for approximately 30 months. It's elegant and clean, with a seamless palate, very fine tannins and a vibrant mouthfeel. 12,656 bottles produced. It was bottled in May 2023.Inc. VAT£303.78 -
Wine Advocate (94+)
I found a very complete 2015 Finca Martelo that followed the style and the quality path of the previous vintages. The release of this wine was an important milestone for Torre de Oña, where they look for the typicity of Rioja Alavesa through a blend of old-vine Tempranillo with 6% other varieties (Mazuelo, Garnacha and even white Viura). 2015 was a healthy harvest, and the wine shows a nice combination of power and elegance. It's clean and modern but with a traditional twist, some developed aromas and very fine chalky tannins from the limestone-rich soils. 80,000 bottles produced. It was bottled in January 2019.Inc. VAT£124.78 -
Wine Advocate (95)
The 2016 Finca Martelo comes from one of the longest harvests in their history. It's a blend of Tempranillo with 6% other varieties, Mazuelo, Garnacha and even white Viura intermixed in the field with a south-facing slope on very white soils. The grapes were hand picked, destemmed and crushed, then put through a seven-day cold soak before fermenting (uncrushed) in stainless steel followed by malolactic that took 98 days. The wine matured in used oak barrels, 80% American and 20% French, for 24 months with four traditional rackings. This wine has a separate winery with smaller vats for each of the plots, and the wine was kept in vat for a further six months before it was bottled in June 2020. It has 14.5% alcohol and a pH of 3.57. It has a lively and young color and a very expressive nose (the cold soak and the semi-carbonic maceration), and there is a strong spiciness despite the fact they never use any new oak. It's mellow and round, with glossy tannins and a very gentle mouthfeel, with good complexity and those chalky tannins. This is a young and more modern wine than the range from la Rioja Alta. This is a wine that was developed between 2005 and 2012, and they saw the mix of barrels worked better than a single origin. 80,000 bottles produced.Inc. VAT£433.24 -
Tim Atkin MW (97)
Little by little, this no-expense-spared winery is approaching the peak of Rioja and now deserves to be considered among the region’s leading producers. Fine, perfumed, elegant and well balanced, with notes of blackberry and orange zest, complemented by sweet, aromatic oak and finishing with freshness and balletic poise.Inc. VAT£456.35 -
Wine Advocate (94)
2019 was a more concentrated and powerful year, warmer and drier, but it was saved by the 80 liters of rain in the first half of September. They tried to select the higher-altitude vineyards to have more freshness, and they reduced the number of new barriques used (55%) and increased the use of foudre (45%) for the élevage of the 2019 Macán. It fermented in stainless steel with 10% of their own yeasts. It has a moderate 14% alcohol, mellow acidity and good freshness and balance. 2019 was a dry and warm year when they did a soft vinification to avoid harsh tannins. The wine is very powerful and dense, with a big structure, and it has plenty of tannins. The oak is still noticeable in the aromatics. Give it some more time in bottle and enjoy with powerful food. 87,377 bottles, 2,583 magnums and some larger formats were produced. It was bottled in August 2021.Inc. VAT£355.55 -
Wine Advocate (94)
Their second wine in the Bordeaux sense is the 2018 Macán Clásico, which in the cooler and late year (they picked between October 2nd and 14th) fermented in stainless steel and matured in 50% new French oak barrels, 10% American oak barrel and 40% used ones for 12 months. The wine has moderate ripeness and alcohol (14%) in a fresher, subtler and more elegant year with good freshness (a pH of 3.75) and balance. It's young and creamy, a baby that will improve as it burns down that fat. Separating the press wine by quality and aging it separately seems to have increased the precision. It has to be one of the finest vintages for this wine; it is round and nicely textured. It could be an improved version of the 2016. 151,411 bottles, 1,053 magnums and some larger formats were filled during August 2020.Inc. VAT£293.15 -
Wine Advocate (94)
The 2020 Macán Clásico was cropped from a more generous crop. The grapes were put in a cold chamber for one night and then underwent a cold soak of three to four days, after which they inoculated the yeasts—in 2020, 25% of it was their native yeast. It fermented in stainless steel, and the élevage was 45% in new French and 5% new American oak barrels, 28% in second use barrel and 22% in stainless steel for one year. The bottled wine has 14% alcohol, a pH of 3.78 and 4.5 grams of acidity (tartaric). This is one of the most elegant vintages of this bottling so far. It has showy aromatics with notes of smoky bacon, a bit meaty, and the thing that surprised me the most was the velvety texture. 202,697 bottles, 1,998 magnums and some larger formats produced. It was bottled in August 2022.Inc. VAT£283.55 -
(1x150cl) 2021Jeb Dunnuck (97)
From the sister property of Vega Sicilia in Rioja, a partnership between the Alvarez and Rothschild families, the 2021 Macan Clasico has unrelenting freshness and is gorgeously aromatic. The vintage conditions were perfect and the wines able to achieve exceptional quality. Here, the Tempranillo is joined by 3% Garnacha, which provides additional brightness to juicy layers of red berry, cigar, and dried herb, with a foundation of supple tannins. Medium-bodied, the oak is well-integrated, interweaving the lilting spice and toast notes from a combination of French and American barrels that aged the wine for 14-16 months. With a long, silky, and finessed finish, it’s drinking perfectly now. Continue to enjoy over the next 10-15 years.Inc. VAT£1,216.69 -
(6x75cl) 2021Jeb Dunnuck (97)
From the sister property of Vega Sicilia in Rioja, a partnership between the Alvarez and Rothschild families, the 2021 Macan Clasico has unrelenting freshness and is gorgeously aromatic. The vintage conditions were perfect and the wines able to achieve exceptional quality. Here, the Tempranillo is joined by 3% Garnacha, which provides additional brightness to juicy layers of red berry, cigar, and dried herb, with a foundation of supple tannins. Medium-bodied, the oak is well-integrated, interweaving the lilting spice and toast notes from a combination of French and American barrels that aged the wine for 14-16 months. With a long, silky, and finessed finish, it’s drinking perfectly now. Continue to enjoy over the next 10-15 years.Inc. VAT£1,233.80 -
Vina Leizaola El Sacramento 2013 is a distinguished expression from the esteemed Rioja region of Spain. Crafted by the venerable Vina Leizaola estate, this wine exemplifies traditional winemaking artistry combined with modern precision. The selection begins with hand-picked Tempranillo grapes from meticulously managed vineyards, ensuring optimal ripeness and quality. Fermentation is carried out in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks to preserve the varietal’s pure fruit characteristics. Following fermentation, the wine undergoes a stringent ageing process in a combination of French and American oak barrels for 24 months, allowing it to develop complex layers of flavour and a refined structure. The 2013 vintage presents a deep ruby colour, with an enticing bouquet of dark cherries, plum, and subtle spices, complemented by elegant undertones of vanilla and cedar. On the palate, Vina Leizaola El Sacramento 2013 is full-bodied, showcasing balanced tannins and a persistent, harmonious finish. This wine is a testament to the producer’s dedication to excellence and is ideal for connoisseurs seeking a sophisticated Rioja experience.
Inc. VAT£88.13 -
(1x75cl) 2015Tim Atkin MW (96)
The latest vintage of Etienne Cordonnier’s wine, made with the help of Rioja legend Jesus Madrazo, is every bit as exciting as the 2014. Now housed in its own winery in Languardia, this is fasting turning into one of the very best producers in the region. Combining Tempranillo with 7% Graciano, it’s wonderfully perfumed and refined with polished tannins, tangy acidity and orange peel and blackberry fruit flavours. Delicious.Inc. VAT£98.65 -
Tim Atkin MW (96)
The latest vintage of Etienne Cordonnier’s wine, made with the help of Rioja legend Jesus Madrazo, is every bit as exciting as the 2014. Now housed in its own winery in Languardia, this is fasting turning into one of the very best producers in the region. Combining Tempranillo with 7% Graciano, it’s wonderfully perfumed and refined with polished tannins, tangy acidity and orange peel and blackberry fruit flavours. Delicious.Inc. VAT£311.09 -
Tim Atkin MW (97)
Now established in his own state-of-the-art modern winery and the owner of 19 hectares in Languardia, Navaridas and Lapueble de Labarca, divided into 19 different parcels, Etienne Cordonnier is producing one of Rioja’s most distinguished wines. The 2016 is the best release yet, made from Tempranillo and 8% Graciano and showing scented, floral elegance, fine tannins and subtle wood. Margaux meets Rioja?Inc. VAT£87.86 -
Tim Atkin MW (97)
Now established in his own state-of-the-art modern winery and the owner of 19 hectares in Languardia, Navaridas and Lapueble de Labarca, divided into 19 different parcels, Etienne Cordonnier is producing one of Rioja’s most distinguished wines. The 2016 is the best release yet, made from Tempranillo and 8% Graciano and showing scented, floral elegance, fine tannins and subtle wood. Margaux meets Rioja?Inc. VAT£361.24
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(6x75cl) 2017
Introducing the Telmo Rodriguez Rioja Las Beatas 2017, an iconic masterpiece by renowned winemaker, Telmo Rodriguez. Born out of the prestigious Rioja region in Spain, this wine is a celebration of ancient, low-yield vineyards, cultivated on mixed clay and limestone terraces at altitudes of 550-600 metres. Rodriguez heroically restored these near-extinct, bush-vine Tempranillo vineyards to their original glory, embedding the rich history and unique terroir in each bottle.
Fermented in opened wooden vats and aged for 15 months in fine French oak barrels, this exquisite wine boasts tantalising red fruit, wildflower, spice and earthy tones, gracefully balanced with vibrant acidity and impeccable structure. The Telmo Rodriguez Rioja Las Beatas 2017 genuinely encapsulates Rodriguez's devotion to artisan winemaking and conservation, setting the benchmark for pure, focused Tempranillo of unique depth and complexity. A highly coveted, ethereal expression of Rioja; it's certainly a must-have for discerning collectors and enthusiasts alike.
In Bond£867.01 -
Delight in the exquisite Telmo Rodriguez Rioja Las Beatas 2018, a Spanish masterpiece hailed from the prestigious Rioja region. Esteemed winemaker, Telmo Rodriguez, meticulously crafts this wine from single-vineyard grapes harvested from a plot of pre-phylloxera, bush-trained vines averaging 100 years old.
Renowned for his commitment to authentic Spanish terroirs, Rodriguez uses minimal intervention techniques. This approach allows the vineyard's unique qualities to shine through in the Telmo Rodriguez Rioja Las Beatas 2018. Each bottle reflects the profound mineral complexity of its calcareous clay soil, and the region's robust continental climate.
The wine exudes an elegant balance of bright red fruit, delicate floral notes, and sophisticated spice accents. Aged for 15 months in French oak, the Telmo Rodriguez Rioja Las Beatas 2018 captivates the palate and exemplifies the very best of traditional Spanish winemaking.
In Bond£1,650.00 -
Destined to impress the discerning oenophile, the Telmo Rodriguez Rioja Las Beatas 2019 is an absolute masterpiece of Spanish winemaking. Crafted by the esteemed Telmo Rodriguez, one of Spain's pioneering winemakers, this vintage talks volumes about Rodriguez's commitment to preserving old vineyards and traditional methods. The Las Beatas vineyard, nestled in the Rioja Alavesa region, benefits from distinctive calcareous clay soils and a unique microclimate. This favourably influences the delicately hand-picked Tempranillo grapes used to produce this wine. The vinification process involves 14 months of maturation in French oak barrels, lending a refined complexity to the end product.
Upon sipping, expect the Telmo Rodriguez Rioja Las Beatas 2019 to unveil notes of ripe red fruit, spiced undertones and delicious hints of vanilla. Admire its depth in colour and intricate layers of flavour which unfurl with each sip. This is an extraordinary testament to high-quality, artisant production, and an exclusive opportunity to experience Spanish viticulture at its finest.
In Bond£850.00 -
Wine Advocate (99)
The super elegant, perfumed and floral 2020 Las Beatas comes from grapes harvested on the eighth of October, normal dates despite the warmer year after suffering hail in May, but some rain in September slowed things down. This is a very regular wine even in a strange year when Graciano ripened before Tempranillo. The wine, produced with zero technology, like the wines from yesteryear, has moderate ripeness and 14% alcohol. Despite being in the glass for over one hour, it didn't show any signs of ripeness at all. It has a very sleek and silky palate with refined, ultra-elegant tannins that give it a superb texture. This is one of the greatest wines from Rioja and from Spain, with clockwork regularity. 1,527 bottles were filled in April 2022.In Bond£900.00 -
Wine Advocate (100)
It's always a very exciting moment when tasting a new vintage of what has quickly become one of the icons from Rioja, especially when it's a great year. The 2021 Las Beatas is super elegant, very shy in the beginning (it was very cold too), subtle, elegant, insinuating and floral, developing notes of orange peel with time in the glass, and it has stunning balance and harmony. It's a field blend of eight or nine local varieties fermented with indigenous yeasts in 3,000-liter open-top oak vats and matured in 1,200-liter foudres for 14 to 16 months. The mouthfeel is silky, elegant, super balanced with very elegant tannins, harmonious, seamless, precise, clean and symmetric. Stunning. 1,521 bottles produced. It was bottled in May 2023.In Bond£487.00 -
Jane Anson Inside Bordeaux (98)
The talented Telmo Rodriguez is launching this wine onto the Place with its first vintage for the entirety of its production. The grapes are from a 3.8ha limestone-dominant plot within the family’s Remelluri estate, found in the foothills of the Sierra de Tolono mountains. A sweet and smoky attack, with a ton of flavours and fragrant aromatics that grab hold and hang on, from dense liquorice root to crushed stones to blueberry, redcurrant, rose petals and tobacco, nothing too much or too overwhelming, but you also feel the herb-strewn call of the vineyard and you want to be there, among the vines where this is made. Get hold of it now, enjoy the brilliance of Telmo Rodriguez and the sense of place that he can bring to a wine. A field blend, as with the brilliant Remelluri Blanco, with just over 7,000 bottles in this inaugural vintage. An outstanding first outing that you should be following - believe me, this is a cult wine in the making.In Bond£265.00 -
James Suckling (100)
Such a deep yet complex and sophisticated nose, showing discretion, perfume and finesse. A hint of violet extract to the black cherries, crushed blueberries and cocoa powder aromas, together with Spanish cigars that slowly evolve to truffle, black pepper, incense and freshly chopped herbs. Juicy, yet really composed and dry, with medium to full body and abundant, immaculately fine-grained tannins that unwind evenly on the palate. A style that is restrainedly plush and refined, showing superb precision, cohesion and length, when you give it enough time in your glass. If Las Beatas is the fine Burgundy, then this would be Telmo Rodriguez’s Rioja answer to world-class Bordeaux. Decant it to let the complexity come through. Drink through the next 20 plus years.In Bond£265.00 -
Jane Anson Inside Bordeaux (100)
I tasted this at the property from barrel, thrilled to follow it now in bottle. Grabs you from the first moments with its sage, thyme, dried flowers and incense aromatics, clings to your nostrils, drawing you in, so much depth of flavour to the vivid raspberry and sour cherry fruits, delicate and yet powerful. Hard to describe how little artifice is conveyed in the glass, it's not a wine that is coated in new oak, instead it is delicate, poised, crafted, utterly gorgeous, so moreish. Harvest October 6 to 18, 3.8ha, old gobelet vines, with any replacements coming from massal selction. Iconic winemaking partnership Telmo Rodriguez and Pablo Eguzkiza. I hope everyone folllowed my advice from the first vintage to get on board because it is more than living up to its potential, and its tiny quatities means that first come are almost certainly first served.In Bond£290.50 -
Jane Anson Inside Bordeaux (100)
I tasted this at the property from barrel, thrilled to follow it now in bottle. Grabs you from the first moments with its sage, thyme, dried flowers and incense aromatics, clings to your nostrils, drawing you in, so much depth of flavour to the vivid raspberry and sour cherry fruits, delicate and yet powerful. Hard to describe how little artifice is conveyed in the glass, it's not a wine that is coated in new oak, instead it is delicate, poised, crafted, utterly gorgeous, so moreish. Harvest October 6 to 18, 3.8ha, old gobelet vines, with any replacements coming from massal selction. Iconic winemaking partnership Telmo Rodriguez and Pablo Eguzkiza. I hope everyone folllowed my advice from the first vintage to get on board because it is more than living up to its potential, and its tiny quatities means that first come are almost certainly first served.In Bond£602.50 -
Wine Advocate (96+)
The nose of the 2020 Yjar developed very floral notes with time in the glass, making it very aromatic, expressive and elegant. This is completely different from the other two reds, as this comes from a specific plot. It reveals the finesse of the marl soils and the austerity of the stones. It was a year of sorting and discarding (they had hail) to achieve the consistency they look for in this wine. The different varieties co-planted in the vineyard fermented together (there's more Garnacha here) in open-top oak vats with indigenous yeasts. The wine matured in foudres and barrels of different sizes for approximately 30 months. It's elegant and clean, with a seamless palate, very fine tannins and a vibrant mouthfeel. 12,656 bottles produced. It was bottled in May 2023.In Bond£243.50 -
Wine Advocate (94+)
I found a very complete 2015 Finca Martelo that followed the style and the quality path of the previous vintages. The release of this wine was an important milestone for Torre de Oña, where they look for the typicity of Rioja Alavesa through a blend of old-vine Tempranillo with 6% other varieties (Mazuelo, Garnacha and even white Viura). 2015 was a healthy harvest, and the wine shows a nice combination of power and elegance. It's clean and modern but with a traditional twist, some developed aromas and very fine chalky tannins from the limestone-rich soils. 80,000 bottles produced. It was bottled in January 2019.In Bond£84.00 -
Wine Advocate (95)
The 2016 Finca Martelo comes from one of the longest harvests in their history. It's a blend of Tempranillo with 6% other varieties, Mazuelo, Garnacha and even white Viura intermixed in the field with a south-facing slope on very white soils. The grapes were hand picked, destemmed and crushed, then put through a seven-day cold soak before fermenting (uncrushed) in stainless steel followed by malolactic that took 98 days. The wine matured in used oak barrels, 80% American and 20% French, for 24 months with four traditional rackings. This wine has a separate winery with smaller vats for each of the plots, and the wine was kept in vat for a further six months before it was bottled in June 2020. It has 14.5% alcohol and a pH of 3.57. It has a lively and young color and a very expressive nose (the cold soak and the semi-carbonic maceration), and there is a strong spiciness despite the fact they never use any new oak. It's mellow and round, with glossy tannins and a very gentle mouthfeel, with good complexity and those chalky tannins. This is a young and more modern wine than the range from la Rioja Alta. This is a wine that was developed between 2005 and 2012, and they saw the mix of barrels worked better than a single origin. 80,000 bottles produced.In Bond£345.00 -
Tim Atkin MW (97)
Little by little, this no-expense-spared winery is approaching the peak of Rioja and now deserves to be considered among the region’s leading producers. Fine, perfumed, elegant and well balanced, with notes of blackberry and orange zest, complemented by sweet, aromatic oak and finishing with freshness and balletic poise.In Bond£361.00 -
Wine Advocate (94)
2019 was a more concentrated and powerful year, warmer and drier, but it was saved by the 80 liters of rain in the first half of September. They tried to select the higher-altitude vineyards to have more freshness, and they reduced the number of new barriques used (55%) and increased the use of foudre (45%) for the élevage of the 2019 Macán. It fermented in stainless steel with 10% of their own yeasts. It has a moderate 14% alcohol, mellow acidity and good freshness and balance. 2019 was a dry and warm year when they did a soft vinification to avoid harsh tannins. The wine is very powerful and dense, with a big structure, and it has plenty of tannins. The oak is still noticeable in the aromatics. Give it some more time in bottle and enjoy with powerful food. 87,377 bottles, 2,583 magnums and some larger formats were produced. It was bottled in August 2021.In Bond£277.00 -
Wine Advocate (94)
Their second wine in the Bordeaux sense is the 2018 Macán Clásico, which in the cooler and late year (they picked between October 2nd and 14th) fermented in stainless steel and matured in 50% new French oak barrels, 10% American oak barrel and 40% used ones for 12 months. The wine has moderate ripeness and alcohol (14%) in a fresher, subtler and more elegant year with good freshness (a pH of 3.75) and balance. It's young and creamy, a baby that will improve as it burns down that fat. Separating the press wine by quality and aging it separately seems to have increased the precision. It has to be one of the finest vintages for this wine; it is round and nicely textured. It could be an improved version of the 2016. 151,411 bottles, 1,053 magnums and some larger formats were filled during August 2020.In Bond£225.00 -
Wine Advocate (94)
The 2020 Macán Clásico was cropped from a more generous crop. The grapes were put in a cold chamber for one night and then underwent a cold soak of three to four days, after which they inoculated the yeasts—in 2020, 25% of it was their native yeast. It fermented in stainless steel, and the élevage was 45% in new French and 5% new American oak barrels, 28% in second use barrel and 22% in stainless steel for one year. The bottled wine has 14% alcohol, a pH of 3.78 and 4.5 grams of acidity (tartaric). This is one of the most elegant vintages of this bottling so far. It has showy aromatics with notes of smoky bacon, a bit meaty, and the thing that surprised me the most was the velvety texture. 202,697 bottles, 1,998 magnums and some larger formats produced. It was bottled in August 2022.In Bond£217.00 -
(1x150cl) 2021
Jeb Dunnuck (97)
From the sister property of Vega Sicilia in Rioja, a partnership between the Alvarez and Rothschild families, the 2021 Macan Clasico has unrelenting freshness and is gorgeously aromatic. The vintage conditions were perfect and the wines able to achieve exceptional quality. Here, the Tempranillo is joined by 3% Garnacha, which provides additional brightness to juicy layers of red berry, cigar, and dried herb, with a foundation of supple tannins. Medium-bodied, the oak is well-integrated, interweaving the lilting spice and toast notes from a combination of French and American barrels that aged the wine for 14-16 months. With a long, silky, and finessed finish, it’s drinking perfectly now. Continue to enjoy over the next 10-15 years.In Bond£1,007.50 -
(6x75cl) 2021
Jeb Dunnuck (97)
From the sister property of Vega Sicilia in Rioja, a partnership between the Alvarez and Rothschild families, the 2021 Macan Clasico has unrelenting freshness and is gorgeously aromatic. The vintage conditions were perfect and the wines able to achieve exceptional quality. Here, the Tempranillo is joined by 3% Garnacha, which provides additional brightness to juicy layers of red berry, cigar, and dried herb, with a foundation of supple tannins. Medium-bodied, the oak is well-integrated, interweaving the lilting spice and toast notes from a combination of French and American barrels that aged the wine for 14-16 months. With a long, silky, and finessed finish, it’s drinking perfectly now. Continue to enjoy over the next 10-15 years.In Bond£1,007.50 -
Vina Leizaola El Sacramento 2013 is a distinguished expression from the esteemed Rioja region of Spain. Crafted by the venerable Vina Leizaola estate, this wine exemplifies traditional winemaking artistry combined with modern precision. The selection begins with hand-picked Tempranillo grapes from meticulously managed vineyards, ensuring optimal ripeness and quality. Fermentation is carried out in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks to preserve the varietal’s pure fruit characteristics. Following fermentation, the wine undergoes a stringent ageing process in a combination of French and American oak barrels for 24 months, allowing it to develop complex layers of flavour and a refined structure. The 2013 vintage presents a deep ruby colour, with an enticing bouquet of dark cherries, plum, and subtle spices, complemented by elegant undertones of vanilla and cedar. On the palate, Vina Leizaola El Sacramento 2013 is full-bodied, showcasing balanced tannins and a persistent, harmonious finish. This wine is a testament to the producer’s dedication to excellence and is ideal for connoisseurs seeking a sophisticated Rioja experience.
In Bond£70.00 -
(1x75cl) 2015
Tim Atkin MW (96)
The latest vintage of Etienne Cordonnier’s wine, made with the help of Rioja legend Jesus Madrazo, is every bit as exciting as the 2014. Now housed in its own winery in Languardia, this is fasting turning into one of the very best producers in the region. Combining Tempranillo with 7% Graciano, it’s wonderfully perfumed and refined with polished tannins, tangy acidity and orange peel and blackberry fruit flavours. Delicious.In Bond£79.00 -
Tim Atkin MW (96)
The latest vintage of Etienne Cordonnier’s wine, made with the help of Rioja legend Jesus Madrazo, is every bit as exciting as the 2014. Now housed in its own winery in Languardia, this is fasting turning into one of the very best producers in the region. Combining Tempranillo with 7% Graciano, it’s wonderfully perfumed and refined with polished tannins, tangy acidity and orange peel and blackberry fruit flavours. Delicious.In Bond£240.00 -
Tim Atkin MW (97)
Now established in his own state-of-the-art modern winery and the owner of 19 hectares in Languardia, Navaridas and Lapueble de Labarca, divided into 19 different parcels, Etienne Cordonnier is producing one of Rioja’s most distinguished wines. The 2016 is the best release yet, made from Tempranillo and 8% Graciano and showing scented, floral elegance, fine tannins and subtle wood. Margaux meets Rioja?In Bond£70.00 -
Tim Atkin MW (97)
Now established in his own state-of-the-art modern winery and the owner of 19 hectares in Languardia, Navaridas and Lapueble de Labarca, divided into 19 different parcels, Etienne Cordonnier is producing one of Rioja’s most distinguished wines. The 2016 is the best release yet, made from Tempranillo and 8% Graciano and showing scented, floral elegance, fine tannins and subtle wood. Margaux meets Rioja?In Bond£285.00
