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.
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It's made at an ancient monastery-turned-winery on the famous Camino de Santiago - the pilgrim's way. Dark, smoky berry with toasty oak.
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.
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Bordeaux-born Jean-Marc Sauboua has been our Trophy-winning winemaker at Bordeaux’s Château La Clarière for many years. In 2006, he decided to start a winery of his own and, with Spanish blood, decided Rioja was his destination. His aim: to make a Grand Cru of Rioja. He has no vineyards but works with the same growers he has since the start. The mature vines lie above 700 metres, the highest in Rioja, to ensure an elegant, modern style. He's won well 300 Golds since 2006, as well as Trophies for Winery of the Year, Rioja of the Year and Best Spanish Red over £10. 2021 was classed a very good vintage. High up where Altos lies, it's always cool, so ripening is slow, and wines are fresh. Aged a year in oak, this elegant red is best decanted.
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Altos de Bergasa is from Bodegas La Eralta, a family-owned winery founded in 1990. Quite young in terms of Rioja.
It proudly owns 360 hectares of vineyard throughout the three subregions, with this luscious Gran Reserva named after its first plots, planted in the village of Bergasa.
At their modern cellars, they boast 10,000 French and American oak barrels, within which they age their finest wines – from Crianza to this exceptional Gran Reserva.
For this wine, they only age their finest grapes, all Tempranillo, ageing the wine at least a year in barrel and the rest of the time in bottle.
Despite its 7 years' age, it is still fairly youthful. Delicious drinking now, we recommend early opening and decanting to release all the flavours.
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With many wines ranked over 90 points, Bodegas La Emperatriz is one of Rioja's finest estates. This is their seductively long, complex 7-year-old Gran Reserva from a remarkably single vineyard, just beginning to show at its best. Savour slowly.
Savour oodles of lavish berry fruit in this juicy Rioja, with its silky texture and subtle oak spice.
It’s from Primicia, a bodega adored by customers and also by fine wine guru Robert Parker. He is full of praise for their fruity, modern Riojas.
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Complex Gran Reserva from Rioja Alavesa, now boasting eight years' maturity. It's from the Murúa family, responsible for our bestselling Rioja. Mature, silky berry fruit with layers of savoury, toasty vanilla and spice.
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