La Rioja, Spain

R. López de Heredia

Viña Tondonia Gran Reserva Rioja Tempranillo Blend 2004

Ruby core with quite wide garnet , terracotta rim . Quite deep and reserved at first , floral , red berry , strawberry, raspberry , red cherry , very fruit forward . On the palate this is also very primary , with lots of sweet strawberry , raspberry and cherry . Really fruit driven , so young . Bright acidity , quite strict tannin frame . This is a mineral saline note after a while , lots more complexity hidden underneath all plushness of the fruit . Perfectly balanced and proportioned with a long finish . Really promising and the finest of all the wines on this night but you will need to wait for the real fireworks to begin , a wine for the future . Wait 10 years and will probably show well a further 15 -20. — 2 days ago

Jan, Dave and 6 others liked this

Campo Viejo

Rioja Tempranillo 2021

Classic Spanish flag color of yellow with red writing. Good brick red color. Just a hint of a purple core. Aroma is stones and red/black cherry cobblers-pies. Slightest of linseed oils. Flavors are bright, fresh Temp. Crunchy and dry. Just a hint of fennel or oregano. Has a classic feel and flavor. Would be great for watching El Clasico. — 20 days ago

Douglas liked this

La Rioja Alta

Reserva Viña Ardanza Rioja Tempranillo Garnacha 2017

another great smooth delivery of Tempranillo and Garnacha. Rioja alive and kicking all over this bottle .. — 21 days ago

Tyler liked this

R. López de Heredia

Viña Tondonia Reserva Rioja Tempranillo Blend 2004

Medium ruby garnet quite narrow terracotta rim . Quite herbal , dried strawberry and red cherry nose , touch of iodine , sous bois , dried mushroom notes , discreet roasted coffee note after a while. Quite pretty red fruits on the palate with good freshness , strawberry , earthy cherry and a marine , iodine like note , sous bois underneath . Quite elegant and well balanced acidity with fine tannic grip . Good red fruit , earthy tinged finish . This is showing more advanced than the 2001 Reserva , and would like to try another bottle of this , as I suspect this half is a bit below par. On the basis of this bottle drink now and over the next 5 or so years . — 3 days ago

Tom, Shay and 4 others liked this

La Rioja Alta

Viña Alberdi Reserva Rioja Tempranillo 2020

Tasted during WSET Level 2 class on 6/9/25. Very good tenparanillo. Mix of red and black fruits, hints of spice! — 3 days ago

Marqués de Murrieta

Castillo Ygay Gran Reserva Especial Rioja Tempranillo Blend 2017

Exceptional interpretation of Ribera del Duero — 21 days ago

Ted, Bob and 2 others liked this

Baron de Ley

Reserva Rioja Tempranillo

Muy fino Roberto — 12 days ago

R. López de Heredia

Viña Tondonia Reserva Rioja Blanco Malvasia Viura 2000

Quite yellow gold colour , wide light lemon rim. Shows quite a lot of development . Quite toasty with roasted nuts , candied citrus peel , candle wax , ginger , saffron, curry powder, sea breeze. On the palate this is structured and quite full bodied with the nutty character , ginger and candied lemon rind , great intensity and grip , salty , balanced acidity and very long and balanced on the finish . Drinking well now but needs time to open , will probably continue at this high level for another 5-10 years and maybe even improve further — 3 days ago

Dave, Jan and 7 others liked this

Marqués de Riscal

Reserva Herederos del Marques de Riscal Rioja Tempranillo 2017

Haven’t had in ages. Plenty of dill, vanilla, & red fruits. — 16 days ago

Tom, jesus and 8 others liked this
Jay Kline

Jay Kline Influencer Badge Premium Badge

One of the best wines for the money, anywhere.
Peter Sultan

Peter Sultan Influencer Badge

High praise indeed @Jay Kline ! Was my intro to Rioja several decades ago. It is reliable @Peter van den Besselaar .

R. López de Heredia

Viña Gravonia Crianza Rioja Viura 2012

This is a favourite & we picked up a few bottles to see how age changes it. This is our last bottle and age has done it well.

Time has made it weightier. The wine is real dry & has a bit of a walnut flavour. In its depths, you can tease out a hint of sweetness.

We need to find more.
— a month ago

Gillian Koh
with Gillian
Peter, Pinotman and 1 other liked this
Peter Sultan

Peter Sultan Influencer Badge

It sings to me too… just the price of admission has radically altered over the years!@Vin d’Ottawa
Pinotman /// Andreas

Pinotman /// Andreas

I am surprised that you did not rate this higher. I have an older version - they tend to get oxidized - hence the Walnut - there are folks who hate that - but i think it is different and brilliant!
Vin d’Ottawa

Vin d’Ottawa

@Peter Sultan it is pricier these days.
@Pinotman /// Andreas for me this is a special wine