Tempranillo

Ramon Bilbao Limitada Crianza 2020

Tasting: From a classic producer of fine, elegant Rioja, the Edición Limitada is an alternative expression of fruit used to make their flagship ‘Mirto’ wine. The palate is long and intense with beautifully balanced acidity and polished tannins. It has pronounced black fruit, plums, blackberries, piquant spices and notes of dark cacao nibs.  

Bodega: Bodegas Ramón Bilbao

Region: D.O.Ca Rioja

Grape: Tempranillo

Aging: 15 months in new French oak, then a further 12 months in bottle.

Vintage: 2020

Alcohol: 14%

Closure: Cork

Vendimia Seleccionada 2019

Tasting: Rioja of great typicity, and outstanding value. Silky and plush texture reveals beautifully expressive blueberry fruit, supple hedgerow berries and well balanced vanillan oak.

Bodega: Bodegas y Viñedos Zuazo Gastón

Region: D.O.Ca Rioja

Grape: Tempranillo, Mazuelo

Aging: 6 months in American oak

Vintage: 2019

Alcohol: 13%

Closure: Cork

Damalisco Tempranillo Roble 2021 

Tasting: Exceptional Tempranillo blend! You get the structure of the Tempranillo, followed by the brightness of the Garnacha. Medium bodied and creamy. Red and black fruit. Smooth long finish. 

Bodega: Rodriguez Sanzo

Region: D.O. Toro

Grape: Tinto Fino (Tempranillo), Garnacha

Aging: New French oak

Vintage: 2021

Alcohol: 14%

Closure: Cork

López de Haro Gran Reserva 2014

Tasting: Elegant, complex and refined, lashings of dried mature blackcurrant and bramble fruit with delicate spices, cassia bark, star anise and angelica. Although a very classic oak driven Gran Reserva, it is well balanced, with exceptionally plush texture and balance.  

Bodega: Bodega Classica

Region: D.O.Ca Rioja

Grape: Tempranillo, Graciano

Aging: 30 months in French and American oak, followed by 36 months in bottle

Vintage: 2014

Alcohol: 14%

Closure: Cork

Ramón Bilbao Gran Reserva 2014

Tasting: Everything you’d expect from classic Gran Reserva Rioja, aromatic and complex with a palate of blackberries, redcurrant, cherries, nutmeg and vanilla.

Bodega: Bodegas Ramón Bilbao

Region: D.O.Ca Rioja

Grape: Tempranillo, Graciano, Mazuelo

Aging: 30 months in American oak, followed by 36 months in bottle

Vintage: 2014

Alcohol: 14% 

Closure: Cork

El Primer Beso Tinto Fino 2022

Tasting: The outstanding wines of Alejandro Moyano are as poetic to drink as the labels and their names would suggest. An award-winning winery, self-sufficient and completely off the electricity and water supplies vinifies the organically grown Tinto Fino – the local name for Tempranillo – with the minimum of handling. El Primer Beso – The First Kiss – is certified organic, medium bodied with oodles of soft, ripe, morello cherry fruit, raspberry, and lovely underlying graphite minerality.

Bodega: Bodegas y Viñedos Valdemonjas

Region: D.O. Ribera del Duero

Grape: Tempranillo (Tinto Fino)

Aging: 6 months in cement tanks

Vintage: 2022

Alcohol: 14%

Closure: Cork

Matsu El Recio 2021

Tasting: Tinta de Toro, although Tempranillo, is generally considered a DNA variant of Tempranillo, it has smaller berries and ticker skins so makes much bigger wines than Tempranillo in the Duero valley generally does. This is a beast of a wine! Dark, very full bodied, rich, and concentrated with amazing complexity. Powerful flavours of dark earthy black fruit, new leather and fresh tobacco with baking spices in support.

Bodega: Bodegas Matsu

Region: D.O. Toro

Grape: Tinta de Toro (Tempranillo)

Aging: 18 months in French oak

Vintage: 2021

Alcohol: 14.5%

Closure: Cork

Vega Demara Tempranillo 2018

Tasting: Medium bodied with cherries and violets on the nose, revealing a palate of intense red berry fruit.

Bodega: Vega Demara

Region: D.O. La Mancha

Grape: Tempranillo

Aging: Stainless steel

Vintage: 2018

Alcohol: 13.5%

Closure: Screw cap

Ramón Bilbao Reserva 2018

Tasting: Everything a traditional reserva Rioja should be. Intense aromas of fresh red and black fruit with sweet spices, vanilla and brioche, the palate, luxuriously silky, delivers cassis, blackcurrants, black cherry, incense laden spices and forthright but perfectly balanced tannin.

Bodega: Bodegas Ramón Bilbao

Region: D.O.Ca Rioja

Grape: Tempranillo, Mazuelo, Graciano

Aging: 20 months in American oak followed by 20 months in bottle

Vintage: 2018

Alcohol: 14%

Closure: Cork

Nivarius Tempranillo Blanco 2022

Tasting: Tempranillo Blanco, the white DNA variant of Tempranillo was discovered in 1988, since then its plantings have grown, and more and more winemakers are showcasing what a great variety it is. A nose of lemon myrtle, wet stones and grapefruit lead to a palate of waxy lemon, kiwi, rock melon and mountain herbs. 

Bodega: Palacios Vinos de Finca

Region: D.O.Ca Rioja

Grape: Tempranillo Blanco

Aging: 4 months in stainless steel on lees

Vintage: 2021

Alcohol 13.5%

Closure: Cork

Martínez Lacuesta Crianza 2018

Tasting: Classic Rioja from a traditional producer of Rioja Alta. Ripe black fruits, black cherry, cassis, and blackberries all combine with smooth, silky tannins, and sweet vanilla and spices.

Bodega: Bodegas Martínez Lacuesta

Region: D.O.Ca Rioja

Grape: Tempranillo, Graciano, Mazuelo

Aging: 18 months in American oak, then 6 months in bottle

Vintage: 2018

Alcohol: 13%

Closure: Cork

López de Haro Rosado 2023

Tasting: Super fresh and crisp rosado, nodding its hat to Provence. Light, pink blossom on the nose, summer berries race across the palate. 

Bodega: Bodegas Classica

Region: D.O.Ca Rioja

Grape: Garnacha, Tempranillo

Aging: Stainless steel

Vintage: 2023

Alcohol: 14%

Closure: Cork

La Viña de Amaya 2020

Tasting: On the nose, it offers an enticing bouquet of ripe red berries, including cherries and raspberries, intertwined with subtle hints of vanilla and oak. The palate is velvety and smooth, showcasing flavors of plum and blackcurrant, complemented by a well-balanced acidity and supple tannins.

Bodega: Rodriguez Sanzo

Region: D.O. Toro

Grape: Tinta de Toro (Tempranillo), Garnacha

Aging: 6 to 12 months in oak barrels

Vintage: 2020

Alcohol: 14.5%

Closure: Cork

Familia Pacheco Rosado 2023

Tasting: Made from the first free run of juice (the juice that is extracted purely by weight of the must, no pressing), this is an extraordinarily complex rosado, showing pear flesh, fresh summer berries and Mediterranean hillside herbs. 

Bodega: Viña Elena

Region: D.O. Jumilla

Grape: Garnacha, Tempranillo

Aging: Stainless steel

Vintage: 2023

Alcohol: 12.5%

Closure: Cork

Buen Rollo 2020

Tasting: Tinta de Toro, although Tempranillo, is generally considered a DNA variant of Tempranillo, it has smaller berries and thicker skins so makes much bigger wines than Tempranillo in the Duero valley generally does. Dense and full bodied, rich and concentrated black plum, mulberries, tobacco and fresh leather. Brooding dark and intense, but with surprisingly polished tannins.  

Bodega: Dominio del Bendito

Region: D.O. Toro

Grape: Tinta de Toro (Tempranillo)

Aging: 4 months in French and American oak

Vintage: 2020

Alcohol: 16%

Closure: Cork

Clea Crianza Tinto Fino 2018

Tasting: Intense dark fruit aromas, liquorice and tobacco. Silky soft and elegant on the palate with a nice balance of acidity and supple tannins. 

Bodega: Bardos

Region: D.O. Ribera del Duero

Grape: Tempranillo (Tinto Fino)

Aging: 14 months in new French oak.

Vintage: 2020

Alcohol 14%

Closure: Cork

Valvarés de Altanza Crianza 2017

Tasting: An outstanding nose of ripe red fruit, liquorice and spice leads into a silky medium bodied palate of preserved mulberry, blackberries, sweet spices and woody incense. 

Bodega: Bodegas Altanza

Region: D.O.Ca Rioja

Grape: Tempranillo

Aging: 12 months in new French oak barrels, followed by 12 months in bottle

Vintage: 2017

Alcohol: 14%

Closure: Cork

Suprema 2020

Tasting: Intense, mature and powerful, this is the Bardos stable of wines at its absolute best. Full bodied with a nose of dark fruit, spice and caramel. The palate, rich and textural, bursts open with fleshy blackberries, loganberry, cooked black plums, expressive spices with an exceptionally long finish, underlined by smoke, cacao and minerals.

Bodega: Bardos

Region: D.O. Ribera del Duero

Grape: Tempranillo (Tinto Fino)

Aging: 30 months in new French oak

Vintage: 2020

Alcohol: 14.8%

Closure: Cork

Protos Seleccion Grajo Viejo 2019

Tasting: Elegant wine. Good aromatic range and great complexity. Aromatic bouquet of excellent mature black fruit, spicy notes, balsamic, toast and minerality. Tasty, broad and powerful, but with fine and elegant tannins. Great aging potential due to its structured tannins and noble-acidity.

Bodega: Bodegas Protos

Region: D.O. Ribera del Duero

Grape: Tinto Fino (Tempranillo)

Aging: 18 months in new French oak

Vintage: 2019

Alcohol: 14.5%

Closure: Cork

Protos Roble 2021

Tasting: Bodegas Protos were founded in 1927, they were instrumental in the foundation of the the Ribera del Duero appellation. Their wines speak of the very essence of traditional winemaking in the region. Bright aromas of rich red berries and toasted cedar. The palate is intense but well balanced, strawberries, forest fruits, toasted oak and crunchy tannin.

Bodega: Bodegas Protos

Region: D.O. Ribera del Duero

Grape: Tinto Fino (Tempranillo)

Aging: 6 months in French and American oak

Vintage: 2021

Closure: Cork

Protos Reserva 2017

Tasting: Beautiful depth and concentration. The nose opens with bright and ripe red fruit, clove spice, sour cherry and vanilla. Muscular palate, showing fresh red cherry, black raspberry, bay leaf, well worn leather, crushed dried barberries and big but balanced tannins.

Bodega: Bodegas Protos

Region: D.O. Ribera del Duero

Grape: Tinto Fino (Tempranillo)

Aging: 18 months in French and American oak

Vintage: 2017

Closure: Cork 

Phincas 2019

Tasting: David Sampredo-Gil’s Bodegas Bhilar has slowly become one of the most respected small wineries in Rioja. His vineyards are bursting with life due to the biodiversity he encourages using organic and biodynamic farming. Based in the subregion of Alavesa around the town of Elvillar (Bhilar is the Basque word for Elvillar) he makes an array of exceptional wine that stuns his fans year after year. Floral scents and bright red fruit on the nose, the beguiling palate is full of truffles, red fruit, blueberries, spices, coffee and lots of minerality. 

Bodega: Bodegas Bhilar

Region: D.O.Ca Rioja

Grape: Tempranillo, Garnacha, Graciano and Viura

Aging: 18 months in French oak

Vintage: 2019

Alcohol: 14%

Closure: Cork

Phinca Abejera 2013

Tasting: David Sampredo-Gil’s Bodegas Bhilar has slowly become one of the most respected small wineries in Rioja. His vineyards are bursting with life due to the biodiversity he encourages using organic and biodynamic farming. Based in the subregion of Alavesa around the town of Elvillar (Bhilar is the Basque word for Elvillar) he makes an array of exceptional wine that stuns his fans year after year. Phinca Abejera is a majestic wine, deep and complex, aromas of lilac and red blossom, the velvety palate is redolent of redcurrants, black raspberry, Mediterranean herbs, and the trademark menthol quality that runs through so many of his wines.

Bodega: Bodegas Bhilar

Region: D.O.Ca Rioja

Grape: Tempranillo, Graciano, Garnacha, Viura  

Aging: 36 months in French oak barrels

Vintage: 2013

Alcohol: 14%

Closure: Cork

Ostatu 2022

Tasting: High altitude, bush trained vineyards, organically farmed and certified by the Basque Organic Regulatory Council. A lighter style rosado made in the Provençal style, but perhaps with a little more interest and character. Zippy and fresh, with red berries, light white peach, mountain herbs and blossom. Summer in a bottle!

Bodega: Bodegas Ostatu

Region: D.O.Ca Rioja

Grape: Tempranillo, Garnacha, Viura

Aging: Stainless steel on lees for 1 month

Vintage: 2022

Alcohol: 13.5%

Closure: Cork