Wine Advocate (95)

Their flagship 2019 Clos Martinet, one of the wines produced in the first vintage of the new Priorat in 1989 by the father of Sara Pérez, is still a blend of Garnacha (Tinta and Peluda), Syrah, Cariñena, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Monastrell. The nose is dark despite the lowish alcohol (13.5%) and has an earthy touch, with hints of fountain pen ink and abundant grainy tannins. 14,000 bottles produced.

Vinous (93)

Inky ruby. Primary, mineral-tinged black and blue fruits, potpourri, oak spices and woodsmoke on the highly perfumed nose. Sweet, deeply concentrated boysenberry, licorice and cherry cola flavors fan out steadily on the palate, picking up spiciness and a touch of candied flowers on the back half. Broad and youthfully chewy in texture. Finishes with excellent length and dusty tannins contributing shape and closing grip.

Vinous (95)

Inky ruby. A deeply perfumed bouquet evokes ripe red and dark berries, Moroccan spices and floral pastilles, along with suggestions of cola, licorice and smoky minerals. Shows a suave blend of depth and energy to the sharply focused black raspberry, cherry vanilla, star anise and candied violet flavors, which deepen and become sweeter with aeration. Well-knit tannins add grip to a penetrating finish that leaves behind notes of dark berry preserves and spicecake.

Vinous (94)

(all old-vines tempranillo; aged for 32 months in small French oak, 80% of it new): Inky ruby. An expressive, exotically perfumed bouquet evokes candied black and blue fruits, incense, vanilla, roasted coffee and potpourri, along with a bright mineral overtone. Sweet, densely packed blueberry and cherry-vanilla flavors are energized by a peppery, spicy nuance that gains strength as the wine opens in the glass. Shows the richness of the vintage to excellent effect and finishes sweet, supple and very long, leaving a sexy floral pastille quality behind.

Vinous (95)

(malo and 33 months of aging in new French and American oak barrels): Inky ruby. A strikingly perfumed bouquet evokes ripe red and dark berries, incense, vanilla and smoky Indian spices, plus a vibrant mineral topnote. Sweet, seamless and expansive, offering sappy black raspberry and spicecake flavors that deepen in the mid-palate while maintaining vivacity. Smooth plays power and depth off of finesse and finishes with superb energy and lift, the velvety tannins adding gentle grip.

Vinous (95)

(malo and 33 months of aging in new French and American oak barrels): Inky ruby. A strikingly perfumed bouquet evokes ripe red and dark berries, incense, vanilla and smoky Indian spices, plus a vibrant mineral topnote. Sweet, seamless and expansive, offering sappy black raspberry and spicecake flavors that deepen in the mid-palate while maintaining vivacity. Smooth plays power and depth off of finesse and finishes with superb energy and lift, the velvety tannins adding gentle grip.

Decanter World Wine Awards 2023 (97)

Our Best in Show journey across Northern Spain continues with a 2020 Bierzo, grown just across the provincial border from Galicia into Castilla y Léon. It’s another zone of steep slopes and old vines – the variety in this case being Mencia (known as Jaen in Portugal’s Dão region). This wine is deep black-red in colour and vivacious and urgent in aroma: wild plums mingled with the woodland scents of leaf, copse and forest floor. The palate is fruit-packed and vibrant, vigorous with an energy derived both from ripe acidity and fresh though smooth tannins; look out, too, for a stony, bitter-edged finish perhaps derived from the region’s slate soils. Wonderful drinking now in the flush of youth, but fruit of this quality will hold well for a few years yet.

Wine Advocate (94+)

The second vintage of their top white is the 2019 Flor de Muga Blanco, produced with a blend of 40% Viura from red limestone and clay soils, 30% Garnacha Blanca from classical clay and limestone and 30% Maturana Blanca planted on sandy soils. It fermented in small barrels with indigenous yeasts and then matured in concrete eggs for three months and new barriques built in their own cooperage for six months. The wine is 13.2%alcohol and has a pH of 3.2 with very good acidity. There are only 37 hectares of Maturana Blanca in Rioja, of which they have eight. It's the same grape as the extinct Ribadavia variety from Galicia. The variety disappeared because it delivers very low yields, but they love the quality when it's picked fully ripe when it still keeps very good acidity. The wine is still a little oaky and powerful, from a warm and dry year, but the palate is electric and almost salty. This is a white that should develop nicely in bottle (I wish I had a time machine!), and as with the rosé, this feels like the finest vintage to date... only the second one! 11,892 bottles produced. It was bottled in December 2020.

James Suckling (98)

This is amazing traditional Rioja with a complexity and beauty of ripe fruit and long aging. Unique. Full body, ultra-fine tannins, tobacco, vanilla, plums and prunes. It lasts for minutes on the palate. Three years aged in oak and three years in bottle. 80% tempranillo with the rest of the classic varieties. All from high altitude vineyards.

James Suckling (97)

Really beautiful aromas of crushed blackberry, brambleberry, hazelnut, walnut and light coffee, following through to a full yet so reserved and polished body with fine, creamy-textured tannins. Fresh and exquisite finish. This is a much more refined and harmonic rendition of their classic wine. Three years in French oak from their own production. Very enjoyable now, but this will improve with age for a long time.

Wine Enthusiast (98)

This dark-ruby wine offers a bouquet of ripe cherry and baking spices. Notes of clove and nutmeg transition to the palate alongside flavors of blackberry, cassis, chocolate-covered espresso bean, eucalyptus and violet. Luxurious tannins amble toward a lengthy finish. Drink through 2045.

Wine Advocate (97+)

The expressive, complex and nuanced 2016 Prado Enea Gran Reserva is a textbook traditional Rioja in the making. 2016 was a very elegant year, with aging potential, volume and very good acidity and freshness. It's full-bodied but fine-boned, has 14.5% alcohol, a pH of 3.6 and 5.25 grams per liter acidity. It has terrific balance, with all the components in the right proportion to age superbly in bottle. They have also been working on the selection of wood used. This wine matured in French and American oak barrels for three years, and the oak is super integrated. 127,808 bottles produced. It was bottled in January 2020. It was an exceptional year with volume and quality.

Wine Advocate (94)

The 2019 Reserva, sold as Crianza in Spain, comes from a dry and warm year with low yields and concentrated wines. The grapes from the Haro zone, the four from Rioja, Tempranillo, Garnacha Tinta, Mazuelo and Graciano fermented destemmed and lightly crushed in oak vats with indigenous yeasts, and 80% of the volume matured in French oak and the rest in Centro European and American oak, 20% of them new, for 22 months, during which time the wine was racked every eight to nine months. This is serious and young but balanced, nuanced and complex. They are shortening the time in oak, as they feel they have better and younger barrels and think the wines need less time in oak and more time in bottle. This is very Muga, very Rioja and very good. They produced an impressive 960,000 bottles and 18,000 magnums of this. There is only one master blend that is bottled at different times. I tasted a bottle that was filled in April 2022 (because of the lack of availability of bottles!).

Jeb Dunnuck (99)

Even better than the magical 2015, the 2016 Torre Muga offers a thrilling bouquet of cassis and assorted pure dark fruits, lead pencil, graphite, white flowers, and spice-laced aromas and flavors. While this cuvée is always thought of as the most modern in the lineup, it's far from it and has integrated oak, flawless balance, sweet tannins, and a gorgeous finish. It's beautifully done and just a thrilling bottle of Rioja that's going to evolve for 20-30 years or more.

Wine Advocate (95)

I was looking forward to the 2018 Mas de Mancuso Garnacha, from one of the finest vintages in the region in recent times. It comes from a vineyard in the village of Almonacid, an old plot at 670 meters in altitude surrounded by forest. It's a mountain vineyard protected by the warm winds, a cool place with stone, clay and marl soils. This 2018 is perfumed and floral, expressive, open and quite different from the 2017, balanced and with very good depth. It fermented with 50% full clusters that were foot trodden and matured in used 500-liter oak barrels and later in concrete. It's medium-bodied and elegant, with great finesse, a lot more refined and elegant than the previous vintage. It has tension, light and energy. 3,500 bottles were filled in March 2021.

In the renowned Ribera del Duero region of Spain, epicentre of world-class Tempranillo, resides the magnificent Neo Ribera del Duero Neo 2009. Crafted by hallowed vintners Bodegas Neo, recognised for their dedication to tradition and artisanal exploration, this sumptuous red wine is a testament to their supremacy.

Neo Ribera del Duero Neo 2009 presents intense, richly layered aromas of black fruit, cocoa, and subtle spice, courtesy of its meticulous maturation in French oak barrels. The palate unfurls remarkable depth with concentrated dark fruit notes elegantly balanced by supple tannins and a hint of espresso and liquorice on the finish. The longevity of this wine is stupefying; the nuanced complexity unravels gradually with each sip and spans epochs in the glass.

Celebrate the pulsating rhythm of Spanish craftsmanship with the Neo Ribera del Duero Neo 2009, a symphony of depth and complexity tailor-made for the discerning oenophile.

Revered amongst the finest Spanish wines, Neo Ribera del Duero Punta Esencia 2009 is a true connoisseur's delight. Born in the renowned Ribera del Duero region, this vintage is the epitome of Neo's exemplary winemaking skills, embodying the rich Spanish terroir. Crafted from old vines of Tempranillo variety, this wine, aged in French oak barrels for 21 months, exhibits a remarkable complexity.

Neo Ribera del Duero Punta Esencia 2009 has an intense ruby hue and an intoxicating bouquet of ripe red berries, wild herbs, and toasty oak nuances. On the palate, it captivates with plush tannins, concentrated fruit flavours, and a lingering mineral-laced finish. This intricate blend of power and elegance is the hallmark of Neo's winemaking ethos and a tribute to Ribera del Duero's unique winemaking tradition.

Presenting the Neo Ribera del Duero Punta Esencia 2009, a masterpiece for those who appreciate the finest expressions of Tempranillo!

Wine Advocate (98+)

The 2017 Nit de Nin La Coma d’en Romeu is from an extremely dry and early harvest that delivered just five hectoliters per hectare! That means they only produced 1,330 bottles from the 1.5 hectares of Garnacha on those slate terraces at 350 meters in altitude. It was bottled in April 2019. It has a beautiful and subtle nose that’s very spicy (cloves and cumin, curry and pink pepper) and floral, with a palate that feels light but has great depth and inner power, with pungent flavors and subtle minerality.

Experience the exquisite pleasure of the Nin-Ortiz Priorat Nit de Nin 2012, an extraordinary product born of Spain's prestigious Priorat region. Revered for their tenacious commitment to excellence, vintners Ester Nin and Carles Ortiz meticulously handcraft each batch with immense precision and passion. The flagship wine is intrinsically embedded in a trifecta of native grape varieties - Garnacha, Cariñena, and Centelles - meticulously cultivated in the momentous Mas d'en Caçador vineyard.

The Nin-Ortiz Priorat Nit de Nin 2012 embodies the spirit of unfettered authenticity in its enchanting fusion of intense fruit-forward profiles and supple minerality. As it swirls in your glass, anticipate the pleasing aromas of succulent cherry, sweet clove, and dark chocolate, progressing into a velvety palate of profound gravitas. Aged 18 months in French oak barrels, this wine beautifully marries a robust character with invigorating freshness. The allure of the Nin-Ortiz Priorat Nit de Nin 2012 is undoubtably a testament to the intense craftsmanship of its makers.

Wine Advocate (95+)

A 60/40 blend of Garnacha and Cariñena from the vineyard that names the wine, the 2016 Planetes de Nin saw a similar vinification and aging as the 2017 I tasted next to it, so the differences found were only due to the vintage and the moment of harvest. This is a fresher vintage, with tantalizing aromas that are subtle and elegant, with notes of violets and red cherries, nuanced and ever-changing in the glass. The palate is medium-bodied and nicely textured, with very fine tannins and fine chalky minerality. 9,108 bottles were filled in April 2017.

Jancis Robinson (18.5)

Tasted blind. The wine has massive concentration and extract. It is extremely deep and ripe with tones of ripe black fruit, intense new French oak, pencil lead and sweet spices. It has an extra dose of concentration and muscle compared with the rest of wines from Toro. It still keeps elegance despite its massive palate. Glorious wine full of high-quality, juicy and fleshy tannins. It is a fantastic wine that has almost everything.

Decanter (95)

Grupo Bodegas Olarra was founded in 1973 and is now a large organisation producing wines under three different bodega names in Rioja and beyond. The Laztana 2011 is a blend of about 80% Tempranillo with 10% Garnacha and the remainder Graciano and Mazuelo, from vines aged on average for more than 30 years. Fermentation in stainless steel was followed by malolactic fermentation and nearly three months on lees in new 225-litre Allier oak barrels, then six further months in new oak before cask-ageing up to 27 months in total in a mix of new to five-year-old Allier and US barrels. The wine was subsequently cellared for 40 further months in bottle prior to its first release. Sarah Jane Evans MW - Truffly, balsamic, cherry aromas. Full-bodied and fleshy in the mouth, a really youthful wine, packed with energy. Notes of oranges, blackberries and redcurrants abound, then following through with a firm structure of tannin. Christine Parkinson - Spicy aromas of turmeric, cumin, strawberry and dark chocolate, which all carry through to the palate. Creamy layers of tannin are very appealing, and the strong core of acidity makes this a great wine for food. Very long, confident, concentrated finish. Beth Willard - Attractive nose of rose petal, peach and red cherry. Very ripe, jammy fruit, strawberry, with a touch of white pepper on the finish and fresh acidity. A more fruit-forward style of wine, with well balanced oak Drinking Window 2021 - 2033

Indulge in the sumptuous experience of Oxer Marko 2021, exclusively crafted at the esteemed basque winery of Oxer Bastegieta. Located in Artadi, Spain, this boutique winery has produced a remarkable vintage, utilising age-old traditions complemented by innovative techniques. Exquisitely grown on calcium-rich clay and limestone soils, the hand-picked Hondarribi Zuri grapes are meticulously vinified via indigenous fermentation, yielding a wine that is resplendent with complexity and refinement.

The hearty essence of the Oxer Marko 2021 manifests impressive freshness, tangibility on the palate, with distinct notes of green apple, citrus, and blooming white flowers. This bottle encapsulates the essence of its terroir, reflecting the geographic singularity of its birthplace. Recommended for discerning connoisseurs, this captivating blend marvelously exemplifies Bastegieta's dedication to superior viticulture and relentless pursuit of perfection. The Oxer Marko 2021 is an unparalleled ode to Spanish wine-making majesty.

Wine Advocate (98)

The 2020 Kalamity is Bastegieta's favorite vintage because of the floweriness and the quality of the tannins. There's a lot of precision here. The vines have been detoxed through years of working organically, so the soils have recovered from years of herbicide. 2020 and 2021 were challenging years because of the pandemic, but qualitatively, in Rioja they are excellent years. All wines ferment with indigenous yeasts, and in this case, the wine matured in 600-liter Stockinger oak barrels, which are his favorite for his wines. The wine already starts transmitting freshness from the nose, and the palate is a lot more obvious and makes you salivate. This is super clean, precise like a laser cut, with light and energy, fresher than the majority of Rioja with very fine, silky tannins that give it a beautiful texture with dry, chalky minerality. This is perfumed, elegant, nuanced, layered and beautifully balanced. This is still very young, clean and modern, with stuffing and balance to develop in bottle for a long time. 2,500 bottles produced.

Take your sense of taste on a journey with the Paisajes y Vinedos Paisajes VII Cecias 2005. This splendid Rioja wine is born of the prestigious winescape of La Rioja, Spain. It hails specifically from the 3rd micro-parcel of Vinedos de los Paisajes where each vine is tended with meticulous attention.

Produced only from the stellar 2005 vintage, the wine exudes cityscape of harmonic complexity and grace. Traditional fermentation techniques were used, followed by 14 months of aging in French oak imparting a refined depth to the wine. This master craftsman’s dedication to nature's rhythm results in a wine of resounding purity and elegance. Expect a layered bouquet of ripe red fruits, balsamic notes and toasty hints from the wood aging.

Paisajes y Vinedos Paisajes VII Cecias 2005 is a true emblem of an exceptional viticultural year and the passionate skill of its dedicated winemakers.

Decanter (94)

Look no further If you’re after an outstanding wine for your Sunday table, produced by a celebrated winemaker, and which doesn’t break the bank. Alvaro Palacios' Finca La Montesa delivers on all fronts: drinkability, complexity, elegance, length and great value. Rioja – and Garnacha – delivered with poise and classic modernity.

Immerse in the pleasure of the Palacios Remondo Rioja Montesa Reserva Selecction Especial 2015, a masterpiece of Spanish viniculture. An elegy to excellence, this wine originates from the renowned Rioja region, crafted by the prestigious Palacios Remondo winery. Produced by third-generation vintner, Álvaro Palacios, a custodian of old vines and sustainable wine-making practices, this exceptional Reserva infuses finesse and authenticity into every bottle.

A seamless blend of Garnacha and Tempranillo, the production process embodies French oak ageing, ensuring unmatched complexity and an enchanting bouquet. This wine boasts excellent ageing potential, mirroring the unparalleled legacy of its producer. Bright, lively cherry hues enrobe a subtle nose of red fruit and spice. Leveraging on the exceptional 2015 vintage, this Reserva bears the exquisite structure, breadth and balance characteristic of truly world-class wines.

The Palacios Remondo Rioja Montesa Reserva Selecction Especial 2015 is not merely a wine but a celebration of heritage, craftsmanship, and the very soil it hails from.

Wine Advocate (94+)

No 2013 or 2014 was produced of the old-vine selection, so I tasted the 2015 Propiedad, a pure Garnacha since 2010. But, as it's selected from old vines in five plots in different parajes—Valtomelloso, Valviejo, Las Mulgas and Corral de Serrano—it always has a small percentage of other traditional grape varieties. The vines range from 30 to 90 years old, and like the rest, they are organically farmed. The destemmed and crushed grapes fermented in oak vats with indigenous yeasts and pigéage. It underwent malolactic in barrique and then matured in larger oak casks for 18 months. Again, there is a difference in precision, brightness and depth from la Montesa to this Propiedad. This is, in Palacios's mind, an old-vine cuvée from Alfaro. The palate combines juicy fruit with earthy tones, very fine tannins and balsamic, Mediterranean herbs and a tasty, almost salty finish. Transparent, subtle and delicious, with some hints of the wines from yesteryear. For Palacios, this should be the typical wine from Alfaro—and a very good one at that! 40,000 bottles produced. It was bottled in June 2017. There will be no Propiedad in 2016; it's only produced in some vintages.

Jancis Robinson (18.5)

100% Malvasía de Sitges. Organic viticulture. Hand-harvested. Gentle pressing. Fermented in stainless-steel vats and aged on its lees for 9 months with bâtonnage twice a month. Neither fined nor filtered. Tasted blind. Fabulous! It is a saline, linear wine with a lot of energy, depth and very serious too. Elegance, strength, minerality and a clear sensation of wet stones. Very long and precise. Umami sensation on the back palate. I am impressed with this wine. World class. (FC) 12.5%