La Granja Ntra. Sra. de Remelluri

Sourced from undulating vineyards in the Alta (Sonsierra) and Alavesa (Labastida), the Reserva is dominated by Tempranillo, of course, but has just under 20% shared by Graciano and Garnacha, and from the white grapes, Viura and Malvasia. 17 months of ageing in vats of varying sizes has underlined this innate complexity; for me this wine is more successful than any other in crossing the Rubicon between the modern and traditional camps and is therefore darkly coloured and ripe yet has savoury complexity and a classic finesse on the finish; beguiling and unique, in other words.
Simon Field MW, Wine Buyer

Telmo Rodríguez is one of the greatest of Spanish winemakers. It seems fitting that I first met him when taken to lunch at his astonishingly beautiful Bodega at Remelliri by María José López de Heredia, another of the Spanish greats. In a fashion not dissimilar to Alavaro Palacios, Telmo travelled and learnt for many years before returning home to Rioja, where he has improved yet further the quality of a wine that was already outstanding. In addition he supervises négociant projects throughout Spain. But for him, Rioja is home.

The Reserva is dominated, as usual, by Tempranillo (85%) with Graciano, Garnacha and Mazuelo making up the balance. The wine has been aged for 18 months in predominantly American oak, its grapes having been farmed on the poor limestone terraces which overlook the village of Labastida, itself on the cusp between the Alta and the Alavesa sub-regions. The result is rich and savoury, with a dense colour and an attractive nose of soy, peat, morello cherry and ripe plum. The palate is both generous and harmonious, ripe and generous, meaty and dense. 
Simon Field MW - Wine Buyer