Muga is a byword for quality in Rioja. It's a family estate founded in 1932 and still housed in the historic Barrio de La Estación in Haro. It prides itself on some of the most traditional of red winemaking, as well as the most modern and fresh. As you might imagine Flor de Muga is in the latter camp. The grapes are pure Garnacha, taken from various plots, all planted at 600-750 metres high. In addition, the vines are aged between 70-90 years old, so produce fruit of fabulous intensity.
Couple that with the coolness of the vintage and you can imagine the wine's amazing mineral freshness. Using free-run juice, all lees aged for creamy roundness, it's very citrusy with delicate summer berries. "Possibly the finest vintage to date" (WA).
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For five generations, the Castro family have been making exceptional red wines in the heart of Valdepeñas, central Spain. Their extensive vineyards lie at altitudes in excess of 700 metres, planted on poor, infertile soils and blessed with plenty of sunshine (2,500 hours a year). All ideal conditions for the production of great wine, with good colour and intensity. They pride themselves on their traditional methods, using here all Tempranillo, hand-harvested, fermented slowly, then aged at least 18 months in French and American oak barrels. The former lends subtle spice notes, while the latter offers more obvious coconut flavours. With 7 years age, it shows mellow red fruits, spice and oaky complexity. Great with tapas or grilled meats.
For lovers of big, smooth reds, El Bombero is a top choice. It comes from Cariñena, a hot, arid region of Spain where sun-loving grapes like Garnacha (same as Châteauneuf’s Grenache) achieve amazing ripeness. Ancient vines, hot summers and a lack of rain mean fewer grapes, which in turn means superb flavour intensity. Hence mouthfilling El Bombero. There are no fancy châteaux around Cariñena, but, as Decanter magazine notes, that doesn’t stop it from being home to some of the best-value reds in the world.
From award-winning winemaker Javier Domeque, El Bombero is packed with spicy black fruit power and a warm glow. Great on its own and a tasty choice for casseroles, full-flavoured pasta dishes, herby roast sausages and mash, and barbecues.
This is a stellar white Rioja. It’s the flagship of Altos, a cellar founded in 2006 by winemaker Jean-Marc Sauboua, and already with 125 Golds. Old-vine Viura and Chardonnay, fermented in barrel, this is intense, citrusy and toasty.
Lavish plum and raspberry, wrapped in cinnamon spice and vanilla oak in this fabulous 94-point Reserva. It's made by the award-winning Castillo Labastida in Rioja, Atlantic and mountain-cooled Alavesa region.
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