Tempranillo/Tinto Fino

Our 2015 vintage Rioja continues the excellent work done by sisters Maria and Cristina Amezola de la Mora. More structured than previous vintages, the wine oozes dark blackberry fruit, lifted by red fruit freshness. However, this is no simple Crianza: a dollop of Reserva wine adds a serious touch. It is long, delicious and extremely moreish.
Catriona Felstead MW, Wine Buyer 

This delicious red Vermouth is made from 100 percent Tempranillo by the energetic Oscar Aragón of Cillar de Silos. It is one of the most unusual Vermouths we have come across, with an absolutely glorious note of lavender that transcends the more classic bitter herbs. This would be an excellent base for a mouth-watering Negroni or would add an unusual twist to a classic Martini- but it is also superb on its own over ice- summer in a glass. 

For me this is the sweet spot of La Rioja Alta’s range. Exhibiting aromas of spiced plums, damson and sweet spice with hints of Asian spice and vanillin on the nose. Succulent brambly fruit sits at the core of the palate which is medium bodied. Ripe, integrated tannins hold the framework for the layers of sweet cherry and strawberry fruit, savoury notes of leather and cured meat, entwined with a gentle spiciness. Texturally pleasing, a gentle creaminess coats the palate courtesy of American oak maturation, which is wonderfully balanced by a complementing acidity; maintaining freshness and balance through to the long finish. Wonderfully produced with lots going on, you can buy with confidence here with the quality assurance coming from one of Rioja’s most famed and adorned bodegas. Delicious to enjoy now but will continue to evolve and develop further complexity over the coming 7+ years, drinking from 2018 – 2024+.
Chris Lamb - Private Account Manager

2014 is a fantastic vintage in Ribera, Hacienda Monasterio believe this could be one of their best ever Cosecha wines.
 
“Attractive ruby in colour, the nose really opens up with a gentle swirl of the glass bringing decadent forest fruit, redcurrants, blueberries and complemented by hints of allspice. Impressive concentration across the palate, there’s serious substance to this yet kept in check an ever balancing acidity and almost unnoticeable such is the silky texture and glossy mouthfeel. Dominated by Tempranillo, the additional 10% of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot in the blend bring a different dimension to this with greater depth and richness of flavour; toasted plum, mulberry and hints of milk chocolate. Simply gorgeous, very hard not to spit it out! Detailled through to the finish with a rolling freshness, you can look forward to enjoying this from 2018 – 2025.”

Chris Lamb, Private Account Manager

A resounding success, flourishing from a late, cool vintage. Beautifully perfumed, boasting precision and definition.

“2013 by the Bodegas’ own admittance was, to use that great wine-trade euphuism, ‘difficult’ in Ribera del Duero. The mark of a great estate however, is what they can achieve when the elements don’t play ball; that this Reserva was produced from the latest harvest in history, is testament to Peter Sisseck’s stellar site, fruit and barrel selection. Cool, pure and precise throughout this is refinement to the last. Fruit-forward yes, but it isn’t necessarily the fruit that keeps your nose so absorbed, granite, cool stone and a touch of blackcurrant leaf add layers of complexity to the 80% Tempranillo 20% Cabernet blend. Concentrated and silky, the tannins have been honed by 20 months in French oak and the finish is so harmonious and complete that you wish to repeat the entire experience instantly.”

Jared Ehret, Private Account Manager

La Poza de Ballesteros, the second of the three single vineyard sites faces Valdeginés in the San Ginés Valley, its west exposition engendering a wine with a different character, firmer, denser and with more stentorian tannins.

Biurco is a vineyard that we have enjoyed visiting over the years; it has a tranquillity and beauty and, predominately west-facing, is particularly attractive in the evening. The soil is homogenised clay and limestone, and the wine is marked by the charm of its aromas; violets, truffles and dark chocolate to name but three. If its stablemate Valdeparasio is linear, this wine is more fleshy and noted for both the sweetness of fruit on the palate and the power on the finish with layers of sumptuous ripe red cherry, fresh strawberry and vanilla new oak. Drink 2018-2029

Biurco is a vineyard that we have enjoyed visiting over the years; it has a tranquillity and beauty and, predominately west-facing, is particularly attractive in the evening. The soil is homogenised clay and limestone, and the wine is marked by the charm of its aromas; violets, truffles and dark chocolate to name but three. If its stablemate Valdeparasio is linear, this wine is more fleshy and noted for both the sweetness of fruit on the palate and the power on the finish.

Visiting la Poza and Valdegines, each on the gentle slopes of a valley, with differing aspects and orientations, one can clearly see how Artadi are in the vanguard of the Parcellaire movement in Spain, that is to say the identification of specific plots to give specific character to the wines. La Poza gets afternoon sun and is harvested a week earlier than Valdegines. Its pure clay/limestone soils give wines of power and structure; the 2011 has a nose of eucalypt, soy and black tea, and a ripe fruit character on the palate, nicely supported by the finely-chiselled tannins.
Simon Field MW, BBR Buyer

‘Powerful’ and ‘dense’ appear repeatedly in my tasting note. Afternoon and evening sun produce more ripeness at La Poza, a sense of exuberance which is tempered by fine acidity and floral characters. Mouthfilling tannins, but supple enough to make this approachable in five years or so. Generous with good ageing potential.
Simon Field MW, Wine Buyer

Juan Carlos López de Lacalle, owner and winemaker of Artadi, is recognised as one of the greatest names in the business in Spain. The winery was once a co-operative of 13 growers who owned well-sited vineyards around the town of Laguardia in the Alavesa wine region of Rioja. Juan Carlos saw the potential of these wonderful vineyards and purchased the Bodega, immediately amending the philosophy and style of winemaking. The winemaking is modern with an emphasis upon fruit driven wines, characterised by the terroir of individual vineyard sites – a far cry from the philosophy of traditional Rioja producers. French oak is used, not American, allowing the principle variety, Tempranillo, eloquent natural expression.

Contador’s nod to the Rioja establishment, this traditionally aged Gran Reserva is packed with notes of clove, hung meats and sous-bois. Textured, rich and savoury on the palate this is already showing beautifully. Ideally matched with Rioja’s classic dish of suckling lamb, this is a wine which will come alive with food.
Simon Field MW, Wine Buyer

Following on from the huge success of the 2012 Spanish Gold offer, the team at Berry Bros. & Rudd knew that we would have to find some truly outstanding new wines to better the offer in 2013. Fortunately we have done just that and are very proud to present our latest, major Rioja producer, Bodega Contador. The property was founded as recently as 1995, but the fact that it has become one of Rioja’s most respected wineries in such a relatively short time, is testament to its superb terroir and the brilliant wine making skill of proprietor Benjamin Romeo. Starting off with an awe inspiring cellar hewn into the rock beneath the Castle of San Vicente de la Sonsierra, finding extra space in his parents’ garage, where he crafted the stunning 2004 and 2005 vintages, which both received 100 points from the Wine Advocate. In 2008 Benjamin completed his new, state of the art winery, built into the hills of Rioja surrounded by his vineyards. Benjamin’s wine making is relatively modern, with individual vineyard plots farmed to very small yields and vinified separately, before ageing for a comparatively short 18-20 months in new French oak (as opposed to the traditional American oak). The results are extraordinary.

A complex aroma of spices, flowers and pretty red fruits. Contrastingly rich on the palate with layers and layers of flavour, this is a full bodied, long-term Rioja. Textured, ripe and mouth filling tannins. There is a huge amount of potential in this wine, which has spent 18 months in new French oak, and is 100% Tempranillo.
Simon Field MW, Wine Buyer

Following on from the huge success of the 2012 Spanish Gold offer, the team at Berry Bros. & Rudd knew that we would have to find some truly outstanding new wines to better the offer in 2013. Fortunately we have done just that and are very proud to present our latest, major Rioja producer, Bodega Contador. The property was founded as recently as 1995, but the fact that it has become one of Rioja’s most respected wineries in such a relatively short time, is testament to its superb terroir and the brilliant wine making skill of proprietor Benjamin Romeo. Starting off with an awe inspiring cellar hewn into the rock beneath the Castle of San Vicente de la Sonsierra, finding extra space in his parents’ garage, where he crafted the stunning 2004 and 2005 vintages, which both received 100 points from the Wine Advocate. In 2008 Benjamin completed his new, state of the art winery, built into the hills of Rioja surrounded by his vineyards. Benjamin’s wine making is relatively modern, with individual vineyard plots farmed to very small yields and vinified separately, before ageing for a comparatively short 18-20 months in new French oak (as opposed to the traditional American oak). The results are extraordinary.

There are some who claim that Gran Reserva Rioja provides almost too much of a good thing; why leave the wine for quite so long in wood, when, with a shorter maturation, one would have a more expressive and robust Reserva wine. These people are entitled to this opinion; indeed, in the vast majority of cases, they are probably right, as there are many rather fragile, lack-lustre Gran Reservas on the market. Not so with La Rioja Alta.

Made up of 90% Tempranillo, with 10% of Graciano, the 1998 was aged for four years in American oak, racked every six months and then bottled with minimal filtration. The colour is typically mature with crepuscular hints of amber at the rim; the nose is, as always, charming, gently lifted with hints of leather, wild strawberry and scorched earth. The acidity on the palate is lifted, but not to excess and it provides an attractive back-drop to the beautifully mature fruit. A very fine wine , wonderfully food friendly; wonderful full stop.
Simon Field MW, Fine Wine Buyer

The west-facing vines relished the afternoon sun in this temperamental vintage and the wine is suitably lifted and fragrant. Notes of balsam, black tea and cassis are all entwined and a cool, sophisticated mid-palate promises great things. 
Simon Field - Wine Buyer

El Carretil is a richer wine, more densely textured, with notes of mocha and blueberry evidenced on the nose. The fruit character is etched with lapidary care and the finish has poise, freshness and length. 
Simon Field -Wine Buyer

Bin end – limited quantities at a discounted price.

If Calvario is Miguel Ángel’s Burgundy then his Bordeaux is this polymesmeric effort, Aurus. Made from 85% Tempranillo and 15% Mazuelo, this has been aged in new oak for 24 months. Already it is harmonious on the palate, with dark commanding fruits, hints of raisin and liquorice, and very firmly managed tannins. It is persistent and bristling with potential.
Simon Field MW - Wine Buyer

Finca Allende, the estate created by brother and sister team Mercedes and Miguel Ángel de Gregorio, is located in the hill town of Briones in the Rioja Alta. ‘Allende’ can be roughly translated as ‘further’; its philosophy being to go further and further towards creating the perfect Rioja. This has been done by marrying the old and the new, by embracing the traditional grape varieties but then treating them to new French oak.