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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

Lobetia Tempranillo is a full-bodied, organic, and biodynamic Spanish red wine from the Castilla-La Mancha region. It has a deep cherry color with violet hues and offers a bouquet of red berries and cherries, sometimes with notes of spice, cocoa, and tobacco. The wine is fresh and harmonious on the palate with a long finish, moderate tannins, and is versatile for food pairings with meats and appetizers.

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.

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 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!

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.

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.

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.

The J.M. Fuentes Gran Clos is a highly acclaimed, full-bodied red wine from the rugged DOCa Priorat region of Spain. Known for its remarkable depth and aging potential, this iconic blend features old-vine Garnacha (Grenache) and Carinena (Carignan), blended with varieties like Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah.

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.

With 16 months in cask, the Ribera del Duero offers excellent wines made from Tempranillo. Elegant and refined, this will age well- another 15 years easily.

Winemaker Tasting Notes: 

Colour: It is very intense, almost impenetrable, with a very dark background and a deep red rim.

Nose: When you bring it closer to the nose, many layers appear superimposed. The black fruits stand out with the memory of perfectly ripe plums and blackberries. It has a large mineral component that gives depth to the wine with memories of the smell of Chinese ink. The smell of the humid earth and the aromatic herbs in the shade of the pines appeared. There is a huge balance in which oak accompanies in the distance.Delicate, long, suggestive and intense at the same time and topped with menthol notes of black cocoa.

Taste: Voluminous and full. With black fruit and cocoa, but also freshness. It remembers the landscape of the pine forest of La Horra with freshness after the rain.The tannins are of great quality and forge a feeling of power and elegance at the same time, being voluminous and aerial. A set of fruit, minerality, volume, length and freshness that forms a huge wine.

Excellent to have with meat dishes.

"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

It is intense with fresh fruit of red profile, very delicate. A bouquet of floral notes and dine herbs. The wood is almost imperceptible, due to the use of semi-new oak barrels during the ageing. On nose is delicious, subtle and delicate, representing the freshness of a cold vintage.
Palate: Medium body, light and silky texture. Very fruity with very fresh red fruits. The tannins are very fine and fresh leaving a feeling of daintiness and softness.

Bardos Reserva is a Ribera del Duero red wine known for its high-altitude vineyards and elegant, powerful style. It is a blend of Tempranillo (Tinta del País) and Cabernet Sauvignon, with the Tempranillo often sourced from old, low-yielding vineyards. The wine is aged for 16 months in new French oak, contributing to its complexity and structure.

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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

Nada Que Ver Maturana Tinta is a rare, powerful 100% Maturana Tinta Rioja wine from Bodegas Martinez Alesanco, known for its intense dark cherry color, complex aromas of black fruit, violet, clove, coffee, and balsamic, plus a structured palate with velvety tannins, high acidity, and a long finish, offering unique character from a rediscovered grape variety with notes of spice and green pepper.

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.

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.

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.

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.

The producer describes the wine as having a dark red color with a high layer. The nose is intense and features black fruit and cherry aromas, with a prominent plum scent and hints of sweet spices. The aroma also includes notes of earth and minerals. The wood used in aging is subtle and mostly hidden behind the spices. The taste is described as wide, powerful, and delicate, with a pleasant combination of sweetness and freshness. The tannins are smooth and the wine has a silky texture with notes of black plums, chocolate, and a hint of cigar box. The wine is said to be from an excellent vintage.

Tasting Notes:

Colour: It is very intense, almost impenetrable, with a very dark background and a deep red rim.

Nose: When you bring it closer to the nose, many layers appear superimposed. The black fruits stand out with the memory of perfectly ripe plums and blackberries. It has a large mineral component that gives depth to the wine with memories of the smell of Chinese ink. The smell of the humid earth and the aromatic herbs in the shade of the pines appeared. There is a huge balance in which oak accompanies in the distance.Delicate, long, suggestive and intense at the same time and topped with menthol notes of black cocoa.

Taste: Voluminous and full. With black fruit and cocoa, but also freshness. It remembers the landscape of the pine forest of La Horra with freshness after the rain.The tannins are of great quality and forge a feeling of power and elegance at the same time, being voluminous and aerial. A set of fruit, minerality, volume, length and freshness that forms a huge wine.Excellent to have with meat dishes.

The Vega Sicilia Unico is a powerful yet elegant Spanish red from Ribera del Duero, a blend of 94% Tempranillo (Tinto Fino) and 6% Cabernet Sauvignon, known for its balance, complexity, and remarkable aging potential, offering notes of dark fruit, spice, florals, licorice, cedar, and a fresh, chalky finish after its extensive 10-year aging in oak and bottle.

Pingus is a renowned red wine from Ribera del Duero, Spain, known for its high quality and cult status. It's made from 100% Tempranillo grapes and is produced by Dominio de Pingus, a small winery established in 1995 by Peter Sisseck. Pingus is considered one of the most sought-after wines in the world and has received top ratings from critics. The winery also produces a second label, Flor de Pingus, as well as a younger wine called PSI.

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.

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.