HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

(Continued) 90–94pts

2020-03-01 -

Martínez Laorden, Lanzado Crianza, Rioja 2015

91 SJE 93 SF 90 PM 90 £13.49 Great Wines Direct, Hallgarten Wines, Wine Poole

Lively red fruit with notes of graphite, tar and saline elegance. Very full and smooth with a rich, long finish. Drink 2020-2022 Alc 13.5%

Perica, David Perica, Rioja 2016

91 SJE 90 SF 90 PM 92 £13 Bianca Trading

A ripe, plump, lifted style with bags of sweet cinnamon spice, elegant fruit, fine velvety tannins and a rich finish. Drink 2020-2023

Alc 14%

Tobelos, Crianza, Rioja 2015

91 SJE 92 SF 94 PM 88 £16.95 Heron & Brearley, House of Townend, Portland Wine, Tanners, Weavers, The Wine Society

Supple and juicy summer fruit pudding character, with spice and lashings of creamy oak. Generous, vibrant and truly delicious.

Drink 2020-2021 Alc 13.5%

Vivanco, Crianza, Rioja 2016

91 SJE 89 SF 90 PM 93 £10.95 ND John

Packed with sweet red berry fruit, plums and vanilla spice with an underlying saltiness. Full, generous, persistent and defined.

Drink 2020-2023 Alc 13.5%

Montecillo, Crianza, Rioja 2016

91 SJE 91 SF 91 PM 92 £10.50 Drinkmonger, Las Bodegas

Broad, generous red cherry fruit with layers of smoke and spice, a grip of savoury tannin and an expressive finish. Drink 2020-2022 Alc 13.5%

Ruiz de Viñaspre, Gran Reserva, Rioja 2009 91 SJE 92 SF 92 PM 88 £20

Wine-Boutique

Chocolate, vanilla, essence of raspberry and a whisper of forest floor savouriness. Broad and full-bodied with a resinous finish.

Drink 2020-2023 Alc 14.5%

Vallobera, Graciano, Rioja 2017

91 SJE 92 SF 90 PM 90

N/A UK www.vallobera.com

Beautifully perfumed violet, peony and carnation aromatics with a sumptuous interplay of blackcurrant, spice and finely tapered tannins. Drink 2020-2024 Alc 14.5%

Alvia, Mileto Crianza, Rioja 2015

90 SJE 88 SF 91 PM 90 £11.95 Neill Wine

Concentrated and succulent cherry, cassis and prune fruit complemented by a touch of mint; attractive and velvety with a long, bold finish. Drink 2020-2022 Alc 13.5%

Ontañón, Reserva, Rioja 2011

91 SJE 90 SF 92 PM 90 £15.50-£18 Boutinot, Hoults,John Hattersley, The Vineking, WoodWinters

Beguiling, sweet dark forest fruit combines with elegant savoury notes; fine and focused with a powerful, driving finish.

Drink 2020-2022 Alc 13.5%

Sierra Cantabria, Crianza, Rioja 2016 91 SJE 90 SF 91 PM 91 £15.95

Great Western Wine

Impressive dark fruit intermingled with tarry leathery oak and balsamic hints; compact, muscular and full of youthful promise.

Drink 2020-2023 Alc 13.5%

Viña Ijalba, Crianza, Rioja 2016

91 SJE 90 SF 90 PM 93 £12.75 Vintage Roots

Plums and cassis contrast nicely with savoury smoky bacon notes; dense and succulent with a long velvety finish. Drink 2020-2024 Alc 14%

Baron de Ley, Club Privado Reserva, Rioja 2015