This old family firm has been revitalised by the arrival of Alvaro Palacios, who has already made his name, starting from scratch, with his extraordinary Priorat wines. He has since returned to the family property in Rioja Baja, and in a very short space of time, has decreased production by 60 percent and increased quality by a far higher factor.

This wine is made using carbonic maceration method and subsequently aged for 5 months in wooden vats and French oak barrels. Once bottled, the wine is fresh and fruity, with red berry fruit and ripe damson. This is a wonderful example of youthful Rioja.

Galicia is a land of superstition where mischievous faeries and pixies form part of the folklore. “Extramundi” refers to the “otherworldly” nature of this region where Oscar Aragón of Ribera del Duero producer, Cillar de Silos, makes this wine. His wonderful 2015 vintage won the accolade of Best Ribeiro in Spain.

From the increasingly fashionable DO of Ribeiro in Galicia, this is a mouth-watering blend of Treixadura, Albariño, Godello and Loureira, with a freshness and saline minerality that point decisively to the Atlantic. Notes of citrus, almond and that unmistakable, sunny apricot aroma characteristic of Albariño.

80% Godello, 15% Albariño, 5% Doña Blanca.
Rounded, full citrus flavours, deep fruited and with a dry, light grain adding length and complexity to that ripe pear flavour. Mineral aftertaste and exceptionally long. 
Julia Harding MW, jancisrobinson.com. 21st February 2017.