92 Points-Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The blend of this entry-level red from Rioja changes with the year, and the 2016 Sela is 87% Tempranillo, 7% Graciano and 6% Garnacha, reflecting a cooler year. The aim here is to produce a delicate and pleasant wine to have by the glass or with starters. It fermented with indigenous yeasts and matured in oak barrels for 12 months. It's young and fruit-driven, has good freshness and is easy to drink, with almost unnoticeable tannins.

Producer tasting notes: "Colour: High, intense layer with a red cherry background and red rim. Nose: As always, the RODA I are discreet when you bring them to the nose and little by little the aromas rise from the bottom, pulling wonderful sensations that fill the glass. There are many black fruits, but it has red flashes that make it shine, black plums dominate, and cherries appear next to it. Underneath are the earth, chocolate, aromatic plants and sweet spices, cinnamon, cloves… which complete this aromatic landscape. The oak slightly leaves its mark on the background. Palate: It's an example of the elegance of RODA I, very fine in the palate, with excellent tannin, silky and lively at the same time. Plums and cherries fill the mouth, slightly liqueur and fresh, it is a perfect and difficult balance. It is very long, with a powerful retronasal route." - Bodegas Roda

This wine has reached classic quality. It has all the hallmarks of a traditionalist Rioja, with a touch of funky flair. There’s dried black fruit, tobacco, liquorice root, and herbs, but also lively notes of plum skin, sarsaparilla, cola and fresh, ripe mulberry. This wine is stacked.

Colour: It has medium-high layer with a dark red background and red rim.
Nose: Intense and complex with notes of pine forest and aromatic herbs in the clearings of the pine forest. The plum and the cherry are the protagonists, and the blackberry stands out behind them. There are sensations of spices and moist earth and the notes of red and black fruits appear between them.
Palate: It is voluminous and full, filling the palate widely. There is a lot of expressiveness and complexity in his registers. The fruity notes come out together with the earth and the aromatic plants. The tannin is sweet and of very good quality, although it is still present, giving the whole an important structure. There is power and elegance at the same time, and leaves an imprint of freshness. It is a faithful representation of the 2017 vintage, a year of spring frost, with low production and concentrated wines, with a higher volume than usual in CORIMBO.

Dominio de Pingus is a cult classic in Ribera del Duero, established in 1995. The flagship Pingus has been established as one of the world's best wines and always scores very high. The vine age is very old and never treated with herbicides or pesticides. The PSI or "baby" of the three that are made is named after the 23rd letter of the Greek alphabet. Made with Tinto Fino (what tempranillo is called here), this vintage has 10% garnacha for added juiciness and freshness. Always fine grain an silky tannins, the creamy mouthfeel will make another sip necessary. A great introduction to the wines of Pingus.

Bobal is a red wine grape variety that is primarily grown in the Utiel-Requena region of Spain. It is known for producing wines that are deep in color, with high acidity and tannins. The grape is often blended with other varieties, such as Tempranillo and Garnacha, to create complex and balanced wines. Bobal is also used to produce rose wines, which are light and refreshing with notes of red fruit and floral aromas. The grape is resistant to disease and can thrive in hot and dry climates, making it a popular choice for winemakers in the region. Overall, Bobal is a versatile grape that produces wines with a unique character and flavor profile.

Dominio de Pingus is a cult classic in Ribera del Duero, established in 1995. The flagship Pingus isone of the most sought-after, expensive, and collectible wines from Spain. Danish oenologist Peter Sisseck, the founder and winemaker, continues to make great wine at this top tier Ribera del Duero estate.The Flor de Pingus is the "2nd label" of Dominio de Pingus is 100% tempranillo fermented under temperature controlled condiditions to retain a fruity dark cherry profile. With 14 months in small barrique, the resulting wines are full-bodied, bold and structured with vanilla and cedar spice. One of the iconic wines of Spain.

94 Points-James Suckling
An entrancing nose of fresh violets, licorice, peppercorn, oyster shell, cloves, citrus and lavender. A very sleek palate follows with edgy, grainy tannins and so much zesty acidity and drive.

Tasting notes Colour: Medium-high depth wine, ruby red colour with roof tile rim, which denotes its long barrel ageing and its peaceful bottle ageing.

Nose: Powerful on the nose with primary aromas of ripe fruit accompanied by complex spicy and balsamic notes and a slight touch of vanilla.

Palate: Balanced on the palate, it is a round and unctuous wine with ripe and sweet tannins, providing the wine with a long aftertaste: an elegant Rioja classic.

A blend of Tempranillo & Cabernet Sauvignon that's expressive with red fruit, toffee, liquorice and notes of oak.

The wine region Carinena is located in the province of Zaragoza and is one of the oldest protected European production regions. It is the only region that actually gives the name to one of the main red grape varieties of Spain and southern France – Carinena and Carignan respectively. A high elevation vineyard and low yields produce an elegant expression of this grape variety. The fermentation takes place with wild yeasts. A soft extraction and light pressing ensure that the tannins are not too strong and are well integrated in the final blend. A beautiful expression of a rare 100% varietal Carinena.

"vibrant blue berry and bramble fruit supported by firm tannins with a lick of liquorice." - Bronze, International Wine Challenge

A nose of brambly dark berries with a touch of pine needle prepare the palate for flavors of blackberry, cassis, cocoa powder, coffee bean and eucalyptus. Tannins come on a bit heavy and then recede into a minty finish.

Nestled between Priorat and Monsant, the Cellar de Capcanes offers quality Catalan winemaking. Originally established as a co-operative in the 1930s when five families got together to vinify all the wine of this Priorat-area village, the Celler de Capcanes drew the attention of the wine world in the early nineties when they started to produce premium Kosher wines for the Jewish community in Barcelona. Made from a blend of tempranillo, garnacha, merlot, syrah and carignan, it's an easy drinking summer quaffer- an "all purpose" red.

TASTING NOTES
A very complex and concentrated interpretation of Tempranillo, complemented by 15% Merlot. The grapes come from a single vineyard at the foot of Sierra Cantabria with an elevation of 700 meters. Spontaneous fermentation takes place in stainless steel with a 20-day maceration. This is followed by barrel aging in French for 14 months. The colour of the wine is an inviting bright red with hints of purple. The aroma is full of ripe fruit with a hint of almond skin and aromatic herbs. The palate has a beautiful mouth-feel with soft tannins, complex yet smooth and an underlying touch of well-integrated oak aging. A lively acidity provides balance, leading into a harmonious, long finish.

"This dark ruby-colored wine offers a nose of black cherry, black currant, vanilla and anisette. Well balanced tannins and acidity support flavors of dark red berries, butterscotch, dark chocolate and a hint of violet. Luxurious tannins settle in and slowly dissolve into a lingering finish." - 95/100, Wine Enthusiast

After two years of drought, 2013 proved to be an excellent vintage with expressive black and red fruit in this 100% Tempranillo.

Producer tasting notes: "Colour: Medium-high layer, with red background. Nose: Very good intensity with notes of black and red fruit that are interspersed. It is very expressive, with the life and freshness of the coldest vintages as it is the case of 2013. Depth is transformed into expressiveness and more aerial character marked by a lighter fruit. Palate: Medium volume, where black and red fruits appear alternately. Sensation of herbs and leaves in the forest, typical of the Atlantic vintages. Very fresh, aerial and enveloping at the same time. Tannins are fine and the fruit endures in the aftertaste with a magnificent sensation of freshness." - Bodegas Roda

Valbuena is the purest expression of Tinto Fino (Tempranillo) from Vega Sicilia, where Tinto Fino dominates the blend, complemented by Merlot, the proportion of which varies depending on the vintage. The Tempranillo comes from plots on gentle concave slopes, with soils rich in eroded material and deep calcic horizons. Valbuena showcases the greatness of this terroir, with each vintage uniquely influenced by the year's weather, providing an authentic and consistent representation of the land. Its production process remains unchanged, allowing the natural variations of each harvest to shine through.

This is a rich blend of Tempranillo, Graciano, Garnacha, Grannegro and Rojal co-planted on a single vineyard from the limestone foothills of Sierra de Tolono in Rioja Alavesa. The nose is dense and rich with a concentrated and balanced combination of fruit and spice - cherries, ripe plums and licorice with precise tannins. Only 7000 bottles were produced.

This wine presents a harmonious blend of Tempranillo, Garnacha (Grenache), and Graciano grapes. Aged for 18 months in oak barrels, it acquires a smooth mouthfeel with nuanced hints of toasty cocoa and vanilla complementing its core of dark fruit, cherry, and licorice flavors. Pair it delightfully with lamb skewers or burgers for a satisfying culinary experience.

Colour ,dark-red cherry, garnet rim. Aroma ,aged wood nuances, tobacco, sweet spices, ripe fruit, black fruit, toasty. Flavour ,spicy, round tannins, long.

A decent introduction to Australian Grenache, a bit simple and one-dimensionally cherry-fruited but clean, supple and easy to drink despite plenty of body, with just a bit of warmth on the finish.

Ripe and fresh black fruits and plum predominate with chocolate notes and hints of tobacco leaf. It has a mineral character that highlights the smell of the earth, mixed with aromas of aromatic plants. Voluminous, full, and broad with very fine and noble tannins.

Red fruits with very fresh red sparkles. Amazing tannin in such a young wine. Intensity and delicacy, endless freshness, silky and alive, full and caressing. Cocoa is seasoned with a delicate black fruit liqueur and notes of pink pepper.

A field of violets in the background. Very fine spices, among which clove and freshly ground black pepper stand out. Subtle notes of cocoa and liquorice. An aromatic harmony that defines the great Cirsion.

Fresh, balanced and with fine but compact tannins, this Rioja is chiefly made up of Tempranillo. It seduces thanks to its aromatic profile evoking roasting, coconut and cherry. It comes from a cellar in Mendavia famous for its complex and intense wines.

A small portion, about 12%, of the blend is made up of Viura to add a touch of lightness to the full-bodied Tempranillo that makes up the majority of this cuvée. The Tempranillo grapes are fermented in the winery's traditional carbonic maceration method in open concrete vats, resulting in a very fruit-forward wine with soft, well-integrated tannins. Maturing the wine in concrete vats for several months adds surprising depth and complexity. The grapes are from 40-year old vines. In the glass there is an inviting dark cherry colour with purple tinges. The aroma is expressive and refreshing with hints of violets, strawberries, and aromatic herbs. The finish is well rounded and elegant.

Aromas of raspberry, juniper and freshly ground coffee emanate from this inky garnet colored wine. It has glossy tannins, with cooling herb flavors on the palate such as licorice, clove and menthol that are joined by black cherry and raspberry. Bright fruit notes overtake the sense of coolness on the drawn-out finish. Mike DeSimone

Yjar is a blend of old vines of Tempranillo, Graciano, Garnacha, Granegro, and Rojal, all indigenous to the region. Selected from the property’s oldest and finest plots, the wine is vinified and aged in French oak barriques for 30 months. Despite Rioja’s tumultuous history, Telmo Rodríguez is demonstrating the region’s ability to produce world-class wines, and Yjar is a testament to his success in doing so.

From the iconic Vega Sicilia brand, the Pintia is from Toro where tempranillo is called Tinto de Toro. These wines boast intense color and depth, presenting a cherry red hue with cardinal edges. The nose is broad, clean, expressive, and elegant, featuring great fruity intensity wrapped in subtle, high-quality wood. On the palate, it offers a robust structure, good tannic presence, and a friendly, fresh, and persistent finish with floral hints in the retro nasal.

An exquisite fusion of Garnacha and Cariñena (Carignan), offering a compelling alternative to Cotes du Rhone. Camino del Bosque, made with 60% Garnacha and 40% Cariñena, is sourced from the village of Almonacid de la Sierra in Zaragoza. The former undergoes fermentation in stainless steel, while the latter takes on the process in concrete and oak, utilizing indigenous yeasts. Maintaining a meticulous aging process, thirty percent of the blend matures in concrete, around 5% in clay pots (tinaja), and the remainder in oak barriques and oak vats over a 14-month period. This red blend is characterized by its juicy, primary, fruit-forward profile, showcasing ripened notes of plums, dark berries, and Mediterranean herbs. The palate is harmoniously round, unveiling fine tannins, pristine flavours, and seamlessly integrated oak. Embark on a sensory journey with this luscious Mediterranean red.

This wine boasts an intense garnet color and a bouquet of red fruits like cherry and blackberry, intertwined with vanilla and spice notes from oak aging. Flavors of liquored cherries, black pepper, eucalyptus, and fig emerge on the palate, supported by silky, well-integrated tannins and balsamic acidity. It's full-bodied, structured, and fleshy, yet remains elegant, balanced, and harmonious, leading to a long, satisfying aftertaste!

This is a beautiful wooden box with shimmery blue lettering that holds 3 different vintages - 2 each of 2008, 2011 and 2018. 

Valenciso (founded in 1998) may be young in years, but founders Luis Valentin and Carmen Enciso (who gave their surnames to the bodega) were already long in experience when they began. They had worked together for 28 years by the time they left Bodegas Palacio to start their own business. Valenciso seeks to make classically structured, subtle and elegantly fine wines using 100% Tempranillo grapes from low yielding old vines in the Rioja Alta. Winemaker Alicia Eyaralar uses exclusively French barriques, a third being new each year, to produce this terrific wine in very small quantities. In this box, there are two bottles each of 2008, 2011 and 2018, all scoring very high. Cherry deep colour, spicy nose, intense. There are some notes of leather, licorice and fountain pen ink, over a core of ripe berry fruit, with some spicy notes from the oak and a faint animal character. The palate is medium-bodied with some dusty, slightly rustic tannins and a dry finish.

"Two rows per terrace, licorice soils, vines formed with a single arm and a very unproductive rootstock, make up my landscape and my life.

Mas d’en Perí is a farmhouse dating from the middle of the s. XIX The previous owner made wines on the farm, and there are still some remains of the old cellar at the Mas. My family acquired it at the end of the 50s and I am the third generation to work the land but the first to venture into making wine.

17 ha make up the farm but at the moment there are only 4 planted. 15 years ago, my father decided to plant Grenache and Carignan. Now with the growth of the project, I have decided to plant 3 ha more of white varieties and a little more Grenache.

I follow a sustainable line and work with the intention of making wines with minimal intervention." - Mas d’en Perí

Colour: Cherry. Nose: sweet spices, scrubland, ripe fruit. Palate: spicy, balsamic, good acidity, fresh.