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
| Product Name | Region | Qty | Score | Price | |||||
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Rioja | 14 | 95 (VN) |
Inc. TAX
€616.38 |
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Vinous (95)(100% tempranillo, sourced from a single 3.5-hectare vineyard that reportedly yielded 10 hectoliters per hectare; fermented in a single open-top wooden tank; 15% alcohol): Opaque purple. Intoxicating scents of black raspberry, boysenberry, incense and violet, along with notes of black pepper and anise. Lush, spicy and expansive, offering powerful red and dark berry compote and vanilla flavors and an exotic candied floral quality. Clings impressively on the endless, subtly tannic finish, energized by zesty acidity. |
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Rioja | 2 | 98 (JS) |
Inc. TAX
€510.78 |
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James Suckling (98)This is very Asian with black tea, mushroom and bark aromas, and ripe fruit undertones. Full body, round and polished. Edgy structure with blackberry, mushroom skin and cedar. Fantastic finish. Just a baby. Stock up for the cellar. Better in 2020 but already excellent. |
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Rioja | 6 | 96 (JS) |
Inc. TAX
€375.18 |
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James Suckling (96)Lots of plum character, chocolate, bay leaves and rosemary on the nose. Iodine, too. Full body and lots of concentration, yet this also delivers amazing freshness and balance. Ultra-fine tannins. Finish is very long, flavorful and wonderfully polished. This is all about refinement in combination with power. Drink or hold. |
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Rioja | 2 | 95 (WE) |
Inc. TAX
€478.38 |
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Wine Enthusiast (95)Certain wines exude a sense of elevated excellence. This one gets to that level via aromas of spice cake, baked plum and tobacco aromas. A stocky saturated palate is structured and built to age, while this tastes of cool blue fruits, herbs, coffee and chocolate. A smoothly textured finish deals cocoa and mocha notes. Drink through 2040. |
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Rioja | 1 | 95 (WE) |
Inc. TAX
€648.78 |
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Wine Enthusiast (95)Certain wines exude a sense of elevated excellence. This one gets to that level via aromas of spice cake, baked plum and tobacco aromas. A stocky saturated palate is structured and built to age, while this tastes of cool blue fruits, herbs, coffee and chocolate. A smoothly textured finish deals cocoa and mocha notes. Drink through 2040. |
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Rioja | 2 | - |
Inc. TAX
€418.38 |
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Rioja | 1 | 96 (WA) |
Inc. TAX
€288.78 |
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Wine Advocate (96)The 2010 Viña Tondonia Reserva has all I expect from a Reserva from Tondonia, complexity, elegance and evolution, a developed nose with notes of forest floor and wild berries, herbs and flowers, a touch of iodine, brick dust and very fine, polished tannins. It has the seriousness and elegance of Tondonia. This is a blend of 70% Tempranillo, 20% Garnacho (they use the masculine form of the name of the grape) and 5% each Graciano and Mazuelo that fermented in the ancient oak vats from when the winery was created 144 years ago and matured in well-seasoned, American oak barrels for six years. It has 13% alcohol, a pH of 3.4 and 6.6 grams of acidity. 260,000 bottles produced. It was bottled in May 2017. |
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Rioja | 2 | 99 (JS) |
Inc. TAX
€1,786.38 |
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James Suckling (99)Marvelous aromas of crushed berries, tobacco, cedar and mushrooms. Some dried cheese. Then turns to flowers. Very complex. Full and intense with fantastic depth and power. It goes on for minutes. It is a wine that exudes tradition but gives a sense of modernity with precise winemaking. Two years in oak, one in concrete and three or four in bottle. Drink on release and age onwards. |
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Rioja | 1 | - |
Inc. TAX
€1,011.83 |
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The Remirez de Ganuza Rioja Gran Reserva 2010 is a distinguished Spanish red, epitomising the fine craftsmanship of founder Fernando Remirez de Ganuza. This premium wine has been cultivated in the prestigious Rioja Alavesa region, using hand-picked Tempranillo and Graciano grapes. Traditional techniques merge harmoniously with innovative elements - exemplified in the use of new French oak barrels for a precise 26 month maturation process. Rich ruby in colour, this full-bodied masterpiece bears the aroma of ripe red fruits, laced with hints of leather and spice. On the palate, it reveals a complex, well-rounded symphony of flavours, leaving an enduring finish. This elegant vintage lends itself perfectly to game dishes or red meats, adding a drop of luxury to fine dining experiences. With the Remirez de Ganuza Rioja Gran Reserva 2010, one savours not just a splendid wine, but the testament of a relentless pursuit of excellence in viniculture. |
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Rioja | 3 | 95 (WA) |
Inc. TAX
€649.43 |
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Wine Advocate (95)The phenomenal 2010 Reserva is produced with 90% Tempranillo, 5% Graciano and some 5% of the skins of Malvasía and Viura grapes used for the white wine after it finished fermenting. Here, they select the grapes from some of their best and oldest vineyards, put them in cold storage for 24 hours and then exclusively select the grapes from the top half of the bunches. It fermented in 7,000-liter oak vats and small stainless steel tanks followed by malolactic and 25 months aging in new French barriques. This is a vintage that deserves to be laid down in the cellar, as it has all the components and the balance to develop into a superb classical Rioja with a few more years in bottle. Everything seems to be in its place, and all components show high quality: the tannins, the acidity, the oak, the fruit... Highly recommended. One for the cellar. 72,000 bottles produced. It was bottled in May 2013. |
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| Product Name | Region | Qty | Score | Price | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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|
Rioja | 14 | 95 (VN) |
In Bond
€495.00 |
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Vinous (95)(100% tempranillo, sourced from a single 3.5-hectare vineyard that reportedly yielded 10 hectoliters per hectare; fermented in a single open-top wooden tank; 15% alcohol): Opaque purple. Intoxicating scents of black raspberry, boysenberry, incense and violet, along with notes of black pepper and anise. Lush, spicy and expansive, offering powerful red and dark berry compote and vanilla flavors and an exotic candied floral quality. Clings impressively on the endless, subtly tannic finish, energized by zesty acidity. |
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Rioja | 2 | 98 (JS) |
In Bond
€407.00 |
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James Suckling (98)This is very Asian with black tea, mushroom and bark aromas, and ripe fruit undertones. Full body, round and polished. Edgy structure with blackberry, mushroom skin and cedar. Fantastic finish. Just a baby. Stock up for the cellar. Better in 2020 but already excellent. |
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Rioja | 6 | 96 (JS) |
In Bond
€294.00 |
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James Suckling (96)Lots of plum character, chocolate, bay leaves and rosemary on the nose. Iodine, too. Full body and lots of concentration, yet this also delivers amazing freshness and balance. Ultra-fine tannins. Finish is very long, flavorful and wonderfully polished. This is all about refinement in combination with power. Drink or hold. |
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Rioja | 2 | 95 (WE) |
In Bond
€380.00 |
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Wine Enthusiast (95)Certain wines exude a sense of elevated excellence. This one gets to that level via aromas of spice cake, baked plum and tobacco aromas. A stocky saturated palate is structured and built to age, while this tastes of cool blue fruits, herbs, coffee and chocolate. A smoothly textured finish deals cocoa and mocha notes. Drink through 2040. |
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Rioja | 1 | 95 (WE) |
In Bond
€522.00 |
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Wine Enthusiast (95)Certain wines exude a sense of elevated excellence. This one gets to that level via aromas of spice cake, baked plum and tobacco aromas. A stocky saturated palate is structured and built to age, while this tastes of cool blue fruits, herbs, coffee and chocolate. A smoothly textured finish deals cocoa and mocha notes. Drink through 2040. |
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Rioja | 2 | - |
In Bond
€330.00 |
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Rioja | 1 | 96 (WA) |
In Bond
€222.00 |
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Wine Advocate (96)The 2010 Viña Tondonia Reserva has all I expect from a Reserva from Tondonia, complexity, elegance and evolution, a developed nose with notes of forest floor and wild berries, herbs and flowers, a touch of iodine, brick dust and very fine, polished tannins. It has the seriousness and elegance of Tondonia. This is a blend of 70% Tempranillo, 20% Garnacho (they use the masculine form of the name of the grape) and 5% each Graciano and Mazuelo that fermented in the ancient oak vats from when the winery was created 144 years ago and matured in well-seasoned, American oak barrels for six years. It has 13% alcohol, a pH of 3.4 and 6.6 grams of acidity. 260,000 bottles produced. It was bottled in May 2017. |
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Rioja | 2 | 99 (JS) |
In Bond
€1,470.00 |
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James Suckling (99)Marvelous aromas of crushed berries, tobacco, cedar and mushrooms. Some dried cheese. Then turns to flowers. Very complex. Full and intense with fantastic depth and power. It goes on for minutes. It is a wine that exudes tradition but gives a sense of modernity with precise winemaking. Two years in oak, one in concrete and three or four in bottle. Drink on release and age onwards. |
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Rioja | 1 | - |
In Bond
€821.00 |
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The Remirez de Ganuza Rioja Gran Reserva 2010 is a distinguished Spanish red, epitomising the fine craftsmanship of founder Fernando Remirez de Ganuza. This premium wine has been cultivated in the prestigious Rioja Alavesa region, using hand-picked Tempranillo and Graciano grapes. Traditional techniques merge harmoniously with innovative elements - exemplified in the use of new French oak barrels for a precise 26 month maturation process. Rich ruby in colour, this full-bodied masterpiece bears the aroma of ripe red fruits, laced with hints of leather and spice. On the palate, it reveals a complex, well-rounded symphony of flavours, leaving an enduring finish. This elegant vintage lends itself perfectly to game dishes or red meats, adding a drop of luxury to fine dining experiences. With the Remirez de Ganuza Rioja Gran Reserva 2010, one savours not just a splendid wine, but the testament of a relentless pursuit of excellence in viniculture. |
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Rioja | 3 | 95 (WA) |
In Bond
€530.00 |
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Wine Advocate (95)The phenomenal 2010 Reserva is produced with 90% Tempranillo, 5% Graciano and some 5% of the skins of Malvasía and Viura grapes used for the white wine after it finished fermenting. Here, they select the grapes from some of their best and oldest vineyards, put them in cold storage for 24 hours and then exclusively select the grapes from the top half of the bunches. It fermented in 7,000-liter oak vats and small stainless steel tanks followed by malolactic and 25 months aging in new French barriques. This is a vintage that deserves to be laid down in the cellar, as it has all the components and the balance to develop into a superb classical Rioja with a few more years in bottle. Everything seems to be in its place, and all components show high quality: the tannins, the acidity, the oak, the fruit... Highly recommended. One for the cellar. 72,000 bottles produced. It was bottled in May 2013. |
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