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Rioja

Rioja Wines

In Rioja, we are delighted to work closely with Bodegas de la Marquesa (Valserrano) in the Rioja Alavesa whose wines capture that perfect point between leathery/savoury old style Rioja

Rioja Wines

In Rioja, we are delighted to work closely with Bodegas de la Marquesa (Valserrano) in the Rioja Alavesa whose wines capture that perfect point between leathery/savoury old style Rioja and the newer fruiter styles of Rioja. Tim Atkin often rates their wines very highly.

Valserrano Rioja Reserva 2015 reviewed by Tim Atkin in his special report 2020:

“2015 Bodegas de la Marquesa Valserrano Reserva

Villabuena vineyards, all close to the winery, supply the grapes for the Simón family's stylish Reserva, which has managed to preserve a noteworthy degree of freshness in the heat of 2015. Combining ageing in French and American wood, it's an elegant, savoury cuvée of

Tempranillo and 10% Graciano with savoury tannins and fine, graceful, red berry and fresh herb notes. 2022-30.”Rated 93 points.

The Valserrano Gran Reserva 2011 is reviewed as:

“Intensely balsamic, aromatic and developed, the 2011 Valserrano Gran Reserva has the house blend of Tempranillo with 10% Graciano that is common for most reds here. It matured for 34 months in French (60%) and American (40%) barriques. It showed aromas of cigar box, cedar wood, smoke, incense and spices with ripe black fruit. The palate showed some granularity, pungent flavors and good persistence.” Parker 91 points

We of course carry some of the big names like Baron de Ley, Remelluri, Muga, Rioja Alta. Vina Tondonia, Roda many of these also attract some strong reviews.

Vina Tondonia Reserva Tinto 2008 attracts the following review:

“The nose of the 2008 Viña Tondonia Reserva is very elegant, fresh and with an herbal twist, starting to show the complexity of the aged wines that are sometimes still too young when they are released 10+ years from the vintage! The palate is medium-bodied, with lightness and depth, very classical with extra freshness and all that is needed for a long development in bottle. This is the more Tondonia of the two vintages I tasted side by side. There are notes of maple syrup, smoke, licorice and crisp fruit. The palate is more austere, crunchy and reveals the chalkiness of the soils. There's more definition and precision here.” Parker 95 points.

What is noteworthy of this Tondonia Tinto Reserva is the alcohol percentage of 13%.

The Roda, Roda 1 Reserva 2015 attracts the following review:

“The 2015 Roda I feels very complete, from a year of full ripeness when the grapes achieved more nuance and flavor and the tannins seem to have ripened nicely. It's a powerful year with clout, quite classical (but with the touch of French oak), already starting to develop some tertiary aromas and more nuance. There's something balsamic in there, even minty, I'd say. In 2015, it only had 3% Graciano to complement the Tempranillo from old vines that fermented with indigenous yeasts. The élevage lasted 16 months and was in 50/50 new/second use barriques. But the wine was kept in bottle for 48 months before it was released, which I think is important. 100,000 bottles produced. It was bottled in July 2017.”Parker 94 points.

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