Right in the shadow of neighbouring Rioja, Navarra is a much neglected region. But for those in the know, it "produces wines in many cases that are superior to its more famous neighbour" (The Times). This cracking Crianza is from the Irache monastery, founded centuries back by the King of Spain as a hospital to tend pilgrims on the dusty Camino de Santiago trail.

The monks today have gone and instead, behind the thick walls, is an impressive winery. There, pilgrims are still revived the ancient way with a scallop shell of wine from the famous fountain. They don't, however, get the good stuff - the Fuente de Irache Crianza. That is prized by the locals and has to be purchased! And, just for the first time, it's escaped the borders of Spain.

Gold, International Wine Awards, 2020

90-94pts, International Wine Awards, 2020

90pts, James Suckling, 2020

92pts, Andreas Larsson, 2020

As Robert Parker says, “Spain leads the world for sensational wine bargains of character and soul”, none more so than its mature reds. Nowhere else produces mellow, barrel-aged wines of such remarkable quality and price. Take Palacio del Conde – a gorgeously complex, oaky 2016 from Valencia.

Part of this region is close to the coast, while the more southerly part is inland, up in the hills, and dry. It’s there that winemaker Marta Martínez selects the finest, hand harvested – from 50 year old vines – Tempranillo grapes for this Gran Reserva, then ages the wine for three years in oak barrels. A wonderfully fragrant, silky red with mature redcurrant and strawberry fruit and a rich, toasty character. Sublime with roast lamb or tapas.

The supple, ripe Barón de Barbón has remained our bestselling Rioja since the early 2000s. That’s decades of popularity and loyal customers coming back for more. The Daily Express even claimed on its release that it’s “what true Rioja is all about.” The talent behind this contemporary, fruit driven red is the infectiously keen Javier Murúa. His father Julián owns Bodegas Muriel (a winery Julián's father established in 1926) in Rioja’s superior Alavesa. We’ve known the family well for years now, so much so that Javier calls us up after the vintage so we can get the top pick on their finest vats.

With its easy going, ripe red berry flavours and fragrant vanilla character, this supple Rioja is great on its own or with grilled meats or tapas.