James Suckling (97)

Really beautiful aromas of crushed blackberry, brambleberry, hazelnut, walnut and light coffee, following through to a full yet so reserved and polished body with fine, creamy-textured tannins. Fresh and exquisite finish. This is a much more refined and harmonic rendition of their classic wine. Three years in French oak from their own production. Very enjoyable now, but this will improve with age for a long time.

Wine Enthusiast (98)

This dark-ruby wine offers a bouquet of ripe cherry and baking spices. Notes of clove and nutmeg transition to the palate alongside flavors of blackberry, cassis, chocolate-covered espresso bean, eucalyptus and violet. Luxurious tannins amble toward a lengthy finish. Drink through 2045.

Wine Advocate (97+)

The expressive, complex and nuanced 2016 Prado Enea Gran Reserva is a textbook traditional Rioja in the making. 2016 was a very elegant year, with aging potential, volume and very good acidity and freshness. It's full-bodied but fine-boned, has 14.5% alcohol, a pH of 3.6 and 5.25 grams per liter acidity. It has terrific balance, with all the components in the right proportion to age superbly in bottle. They have also been working on the selection of wood used. This wine matured in French and American oak barrels for three years, and the oak is super integrated. 127,808 bottles produced. It was bottled in January 2020. It was an exceptional year with volume and quality.

Wine Advocate (94)

The 2019 Reserva, sold as Crianza in Spain, comes from a dry and warm year with low yields and concentrated wines. The grapes from the Haro zone, the four from Rioja, Tempranillo, Garnacha Tinta, Mazuelo and Graciano fermented destemmed and lightly crushed in oak vats with indigenous yeasts, and 80% of the volume matured in French oak and the rest in Centro European and American oak, 20% of them new, for 22 months, during which time the wine was racked every eight to nine months. This is serious and young but balanced, nuanced and complex. They are shortening the time in oak, as they feel they have better and younger barrels and think the wines need less time in oak and more time in bottle. This is very Muga, very Rioja and very good. They produced an impressive 960,000 bottles and 18,000 magnums of this. There is only one master blend that is bottled at different times. I tasted a bottle that was filled in April 2022 (because of the lack of availability of bottles!).

Jeb Dunnuck (99)

Even better than the magical 2015, the 2016 Torre Muga offers a thrilling bouquet of cassis and assorted pure dark fruits, lead pencil, graphite, white flowers, and spice-laced aromas and flavors. While this cuvée is always thought of as the most modern in the lineup, it's far from it and has integrated oak, flawless balance, sweet tannins, and a gorgeous finish. It's beautifully done and just a thrilling bottle of Rioja that's going to evolve for 20-30 years or more.

Wine Advocate (95)

I was looking forward to the 2018 Mas de Mancuso Garnacha, from one of the finest vintages in the region in recent times. It comes from a vineyard in the village of Almonacid, an old plot at 670 meters in altitude surrounded by forest. It's a mountain vineyard protected by the warm winds, a cool place with stone, clay and marl soils. This 2018 is perfumed and floral, expressive, open and quite different from the 2017, balanced and with very good depth. It fermented with 50% full clusters that were foot trodden and matured in used 500-liter oak barrels and later in concrete. It's medium-bodied and elegant, with great finesse, a lot more refined and elegant than the previous vintage. It has tension, light and energy. 3,500 bottles were filled in March 2021.

In the renowned Ribera del Duero region of Spain, epicentre of world-class Tempranillo, resides the magnificent Neo Ribera del Duero Neo 2009. Crafted by hallowed vintners Bodegas Neo, recognised for their dedication to tradition and artisanal exploration, this sumptuous red wine is a testament to their supremacy.

Neo Ribera del Duero Neo 2009 presents intense, richly layered aromas of black fruit, cocoa, and subtle spice, courtesy of its meticulous maturation in French oak barrels. The palate unfurls remarkable depth with concentrated dark fruit notes elegantly balanced by supple tannins and a hint of espresso and liquorice on the finish. The longevity of this wine is stupefying; the nuanced complexity unravels gradually with each sip and spans epochs in the glass.

Celebrate the pulsating rhythm of Spanish craftsmanship with the Neo Ribera del Duero Neo 2009, a symphony of depth and complexity tailor-made for the discerning oenophile.

Revered amongst the finest Spanish wines, Neo Ribera del Duero Punta Esencia 2009 is a true connoisseur's delight. Born in the renowned Ribera del Duero region, this vintage is the epitome of Neo's exemplary winemaking skills, embodying the rich Spanish terroir. Crafted from old vines of Tempranillo variety, this wine, aged in French oak barrels for 21 months, exhibits a remarkable complexity.

Neo Ribera del Duero Punta Esencia 2009 has an intense ruby hue and an intoxicating bouquet of ripe red berries, wild herbs, and toasty oak nuances. On the palate, it captivates with plush tannins, concentrated fruit flavours, and a lingering mineral-laced finish. This intricate blend of power and elegance is the hallmark of Neo's winemaking ethos and a tribute to Ribera del Duero's unique winemaking tradition.

Presenting the Neo Ribera del Duero Punta Esencia 2009, a masterpiece for those who appreciate the finest expressions of Tempranillo!

Experience the exquisite pleasure of the Nin-Ortiz Priorat Nit de Nin 2012, an extraordinary product born of Spain's prestigious Priorat region. Revered for their tenacious commitment to excellence, vintners Ester Nin and Carles Ortiz meticulously handcraft each batch with immense precision and passion. The flagship wine is intrinsically embedded in a trifecta of native grape varieties - Garnacha, Cariñena, and Centelles - meticulously cultivated in the momentous Mas d'en Caçador vineyard.

The Nin-Ortiz Priorat Nit de Nin 2012 embodies the spirit of unfettered authenticity in its enchanting fusion of intense fruit-forward profiles and supple minerality. As it swirls in your glass, anticipate the pleasing aromas of succulent cherry, sweet clove, and dark chocolate, progressing into a velvety palate of profound gravitas. Aged 18 months in French oak barrels, this wine beautifully marries a robust character with invigorating freshness. The allure of the Nin-Ortiz Priorat Nit de Nin 2012 is undoubtably a testament to the intense craftsmanship of its makers.

Wine Advocate (95+)

A 60/40 blend of Garnacha and Cariñena from the vineyard that names the wine, the 2016 Planetes de Nin saw a similar vinification and aging as the 2017 I tasted next to it, so the differences found were only due to the vintage and the moment of harvest. This is a fresher vintage, with tantalizing aromas that are subtle and elegant, with notes of violets and red cherries, nuanced and ever-changing in the glass. The palate is medium-bodied and nicely textured, with very fine tannins and fine chalky minerality. 9,108 bottles were filled in April 2017.

Jancis Robinson (18.5)

Tasted blind. The wine has massive concentration and extract. It is extremely deep and ripe with tones of ripe black fruit, intense new French oak, pencil lead and sweet spices. It has an extra dose of concentration and muscle compared with the rest of wines from Toro. It still keeps elegance despite its massive palate. Glorious wine full of high-quality, juicy and fleshy tannins. It is a fantastic wine that has almost everything.

Decanter (95)

Grupo Bodegas Olarra was founded in 1973 and is now a large organisation producing wines under three different bodega names in Rioja and beyond. The Laztana 2011 is a blend of about 80% Tempranillo with 10% Garnacha and the remainder Graciano and Mazuelo, from vines aged on average for more than 30 years. Fermentation in stainless steel was followed by malolactic fermentation and nearly three months on lees in new 225-litre Allier oak barrels, then six further months in new oak before cask-ageing up to 27 months in total in a mix of new to five-year-old Allier and US barrels. The wine was subsequently cellared for 40 further months in bottle prior to its first release. Sarah Jane Evans MW - Truffly, balsamic, cherry aromas. Full-bodied and fleshy in the mouth, a really youthful wine, packed with energy. Notes of oranges, blackberries and redcurrants abound, then following through with a firm structure of tannin. Christine Parkinson - Spicy aromas of turmeric, cumin, strawberry and dark chocolate, which all carry through to the palate. Creamy layers of tannin are very appealing, and the strong core of acidity makes this a great wine for food. Very long, confident, concentrated finish. Beth Willard - Attractive nose of rose petal, peach and red cherry. Very ripe, jammy fruit, strawberry, with a touch of white pepper on the finish and fresh acidity. A more fruit-forward style of wine, with well balanced oak Drinking Window 2021 - 2033

Wine Advocate (98)

The 2020 Kalamity is Bastegieta's favorite vintage because of the floweriness and the quality of the tannins. There's a lot of precision here. The vines have been detoxed through years of working organically, so the soils have recovered from years of herbicide. 2020 and 2021 were challenging years because of the pandemic, but qualitatively, in Rioja they are excellent years. All wines ferment with indigenous yeasts, and in this case, the wine matured in 600-liter Stockinger oak barrels, which are his favorite for his wines. The wine already starts transmitting freshness from the nose, and the palate is a lot more obvious and makes you salivate. This is super clean, precise like a laser cut, with light and energy, fresher than the majority of Rioja with very fine, silky tannins that give it a beautiful texture with dry, chalky minerality. This is perfumed, elegant, nuanced, layered and beautifully balanced. This is still very young, clean and modern, with stuffing and balance to develop in bottle for a long time. 2,500 bottles produced.

Take your sense of taste on a journey with the Paisajes y Vinedos Paisajes VII Cecias 2005. This splendid Rioja wine is born of the prestigious winescape of La Rioja, Spain. It hails specifically from the 3rd micro-parcel of Vinedos de los Paisajes where each vine is tended with meticulous attention.

Produced only from the stellar 2005 vintage, the wine exudes cityscape of harmonic complexity and grace. Traditional fermentation techniques were used, followed by 14 months of aging in French oak imparting a refined depth to the wine. This master craftsman’s dedication to nature's rhythm results in a wine of resounding purity and elegance. Expect a layered bouquet of ripe red fruits, balsamic notes and toasty hints from the wood aging.

Paisajes y Vinedos Paisajes VII Cecias 2005 is a true emblem of an exceptional viticultural year and the passionate skill of its dedicated winemakers.

Decanter (94)

Look no further If you’re after an outstanding wine for your Sunday table, produced by a celebrated winemaker, and which doesn’t break the bank. Alvaro Palacios' Finca La Montesa delivers on all fronts: drinkability, complexity, elegance, length and great value. Rioja – and Garnacha – delivered with poise and classic modernity.

Immerse in the pleasure of the Palacios Remondo Rioja Montesa Reserva Selecction Especial 2015, a masterpiece of Spanish viniculture. An elegy to excellence, this wine originates from the renowned Rioja region, crafted by the prestigious Palacios Remondo winery. Produced by third-generation vintner, Álvaro Palacios, a custodian of old vines and sustainable wine-making practices, this exceptional Reserva infuses finesse and authenticity into every bottle.

A seamless blend of Garnacha and Tempranillo, the production process embodies French oak ageing, ensuring unmatched complexity and an enchanting bouquet. This wine boasts excellent ageing potential, mirroring the unparalleled legacy of its producer. Bright, lively cherry hues enrobe a subtle nose of red fruit and spice. Leveraging on the exceptional 2015 vintage, this Reserva bears the exquisite structure, breadth and balance characteristic of truly world-class wines.

The Palacios Remondo Rioja Montesa Reserva Selecction Especial 2015 is not merely a wine but a celebration of heritage, craftsmanship, and the very soil it hails from.

Produced by one of Spain's most influential winemakers, the Pesquera Ribera del Duero Gran Reserva Janus 2018 is a quintessence of meticulous viticulture practices at Alejandro Fernández's estate. Rooted in the emblematic Douro River Valley, this sophisticated wine is skilfully crafted from the region's indigenous Tempranillo grape. Aided by high altitude vineyards and exceptional terroir, the cultivation process bestows an admirable stand-alone character to the wine.

Adopting traditional winemaking approaches, the Gran Reserva Janus 2018 is matured for an unprecedented 24 months in French oak barrels. This lends an exquisite resilience to the wine, enveloping the palate with complex flavours of dark fruits, toasted oak and alluring hints of spices. Exhibiting an intense dark ruby hue, the hallowed Pesquera Ribera del Duero Gran Reserva Janus 2018 excites with its endearing richness, balanced complexity, and an extended finish that reminisces the essence of granite and limestone soil.

Wine Advocate (93+)

The youngest of the released wines I tasted is a red—the 2016 Pícaro del Águila Tinto. It is from what they consider to be one of the best and freshest vintages in recent times. This is produced with the vines from the warmer parts of La Aguilera, a cold place to start with (and in a cooler year). The old vines are planted with a mix that is dominated by Tempranillo but also contains some 5% other grapes. All the grapes are picked and fermented together with full clusters and natural yeasts in concrete and stainless steel vats. It matured in oak barrels for 13 months. This is fragrant, expressive, open, aromatic and really attractive. The palate is really balanced, with great freshness, fine tannins and a very pleasant mouthfeel—supple, balanced and with great depth. This is the best version of this bottling so far, and it seems like 2016 could be a great overall vintage, based on some other wines I sampled from cask (many of them have an extended élevage). 21,550 bottles and 624 magnums were filled unfiltered and unfined in November 2017.

Wine Advocate (93)

2017 was an unusually short crop as a result of terrible frost in April 2017, when thermometers reached -10 degrees Celsius in some places. The 2017 Pícaro del Águila Tinto, their entry-level and most approachable red, was seriously affected, of course. They lost some 60% of the volume, but the wine is incredible for the condition of the year. It feels a little more mysterious, not as expressive or open, a bit reductive perhaps, but the aromas are clean and don't show any excess ripeness. They did an amazing job eliminating all the raisins that didn't make it into the fermentation vat, and the extra workload has clearly paid off. The wine has some grip and fine, chalky tannins. 17,025 bottles and 487 magnums produced. It was bottled unfiltered and unfined and with just a little sulfur added in October 2018 after 12 months in oak barrels.

Wine Advocate (94+)

The youngest of the reds I tasted, the 2019 Pícaro del Águila Tinto is their most approachable red and is still serious, vibrant and aromatic with great length and still has good aging potential. They use the grapes from the warmest vineyards they have in the village of La Aguilera, form the northern part closer to La Horra, mostly Tempranillo but with some 5% of other varieties (red and white) interplanted in the old vineyards, fermented together with full clusters and indigenous yeasts and matured in French oak barrels for 15 months. Like the 2019 Clarete, this is young and tender and has more tension than I expected for a warmer year. It has less oak than previous years (only 10% or 15% new barrels), and the wine feels better balanced and is floral and aromatic. It's medium-bodied with a very fine texture, a pretty wine that drinks very well and doesn't reflect a warm year at all, as it has incredible freshness. A great Pícaro. They produced 69,852 bottles and 850 magnums, a notable increase in volume... while they increase the quality! It was bottled in February 2021.

Wine Advocate (95)

The juicy, velvety and aromatic red 2020 Pícaro del Águila Tinto is fine-boned and quite faithfully represents what they want to express with this cuvée; it's very tasty and has some chalkiness (perhaps through less ripeness than in years like 2018) with 14% alcohol and mellow acidity. The nose reveals some Côte-Rôtie-like notes of smoked meat and violets. 2020 delivered a good crop of healthy grapes that produced the finest wine to date for this bottling. This is superb, elegant and powerful, with everything in place (seems to be the signature of 2020) and perfectly integrated oak. 71,382 bottles and 1,979 magnums produced. It was bottled in September 2021.

Vinous (95)

Deep, bright ruby-red. Cherry, licorice and smoked meat at the outset; then exploded with raspberry fruit. Lush, smooth and silky, with lovely inner-mouth perfume. Highly complex flavors of raspberry, minerals, bitter chocolate and smoky oak convey an extraordinary sweetness without any excess weight. Expands wonderfully on the extremely long, aromatic finish, which features noble, palate-dusting tannins. From the recorked bottle, the wine again began with dominant smoky, tarry torrefaction notes, and within minutes was taken over by red berries and flowers. More classic than the '03, but the 2003 may be even richer.

Wine Advocate (98)

The 2006 Pingus is a spectacular effort. A glass-staining saturated opaque purple, it delivers an other-worldly perfume of smoke, lavender, mineral, scorched earth, and an amalgam of kinky black fruits. Voluptuous on the palate in a measured way, it has superb balance, layered, complex flavors, ripe tannin that is entirely covered by the fruit, and a decade of aging potential. This monumental wine will evolve effortlessly for 10-15 years and offer a drinking window extending from 2016 to 2036.