BEST OF RIOJA VIÑEDOS SINGULARES

97

2020 LA CONDENADA

Artuke, Mañueta

Cool, clear fruit aromas on the nose. Notes of raspberry, red currant and cherry. Some chocolate and herbal savouriness. Fleshy red fruit, sage and rosemary on the palate. Seems elegant, with wonderfully fresh acidity that carries through to the long finish. Finegrained, •••• ripe tannins.

95

2016 GAMINDE

Finca Allende, Briones

Fresh fruit on the nose with notes of raspberry, strawberry, cassis and cherry. Also hints of clove and black pepper as well as herbal savouriness. Elegant on the palate, with juicy, fresh acidity and lots of fruit. Aroma of cherry and red berries, some cinnamon. Fine tannin ••• and long finish.

95

2019 FINCA LA EMPERATRIZ BLANCO VIÑEDO SINGULAR

Viñedos Hermanos Hernaiz,

Baños de Rioja

Initially reductive on the nose. With more air notes of grapefruit, fresh apple and peach appear alongside spicy and nutty hints. Taut acidity on the palate, full-bodied with notes of citrus, green apple and herbal savouriness. Long, mineral finish with a slight phenolic •• grip.

95

2020 CARRA STO DOMINGO

Bodega Alegre Valgañon, Sajazarra Notes of ripe raspberry and cherry on the nose. Bright and filigree. Herbal-spicy hints harmonise wonderfully with the fruit. The palate presents juicy acidity, aromas of plum, cherry and grapefruit; firm, fine tannins and a long, mineral-like finish. Beautiful juiciness. •••

95

2020 LA ESCALERUELA VIÑEDO SINGULAR, Bodegas Ondarre, Viana Spiced, fruity aromas with fresh wild berry notes. Very clear. Notes of cherry and citrus as well as spicy hints of dried herbs and some cold smoke. Fresh palate with just as much acidity. Nice, clear raspberry fruit and cherry. Some dark chocolate. Ripe, slightly noticeable tannin, long finish. Carbonic maceration style.

Price on request.

94

2018 LA ESTRADA BODEGAS LANZAGA

Compañia de Vinos Telmo Rodriguez, S.L., Lanciego

Plump fruit on the nose with notes of sour cherry, raspberry and wild plum. Floral hints and a discreet herbal savouriness. Juicy, elegant acidity on the palate, pleasantly powerful and grippy. Beautiful red fruit paired with spicy components. Fine-grained tannin, long •••• finish.

94

2018 RIBAGAITAS VIÑEDO SINGULAR

Bodegas Luis Cañas, Villabuena Fruity and spicy on the nose with notes of sour cherry and dried red berries. Also hints of dried kitchen herbs. Spicy and powerful on the palate with fresh, straightforward acidity, dark berry fruit, •••• firm tannin. Long finish.

94

2020 FINCA ALTO CANTABRIA BLANCO VIÑEDO SINGULAR Bodegas Valdemar, Oyón

Ripe fruit on the nose with notes of apple, Mirabelle plum and citrus as well as peach. Full-bodied on the palate with taut acidity and ripe fruit. Notes of apple and candied citrus fruits. Creamy impression, well-integrated toastiness. The long finish is defined by caramelised apple aromas.

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94

2020 CERRO LA ISA VIÑEDO SINGULAR

Bodegas Navajas, Navarrete

Intense nose with vivid but well-integrated aromas of toast. Notes of caramel and vanilla, as well as smoky hints. Behind that, notes of citrus and apple as well as peach. Full-bodied on the palate with taut acidity and austere citrus aromas. Lots of wood, long finish.

Price on request.