HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

(Continued) 90–94pts

Barón de Ley 2014

90 SJE 90 CP 91 BW 88

£19.99

Waitrose

Plump style, with plums and red fruits, wild herbs and citrus zest on the nose. Juicy palate of blackberry, redcurrant and bay laurel flavours. Vibrant, youthful wine with fine complexity. Drink 2021-2029 Alc 14%

El Coto, Coto de Imaz 2012

90 SJE 90 CP 90 BW 89

£21.20-£25

Bayley & Sage, Cru, Exel, Liberty Wines, Tivoli Wines

Sweet and appealing nose of blueberry muffin. A big character with ripe, plummy fruit and a mass of firmly textured spicy oak. Dense but refreshing, and pleasingly long on the finish. Drink 2021-2028 Alc 13.5%

Bodegas del Medievo, Medievo 2013

90 SJE 89 CP 90 BW 90

£20

Duncan Murray

Closed on the nose, but the palate is big and characterful; pomegranate and mulberry fruit, with savoury mushroom notes. For those who love the darker, more intense Rioja styles. Drink 2021-2026 Alc 13.5%

Lan 2011

90 SJE 92 CP 89 BW 89 £21.65-£25

Alexander Hadleigh, Aubergine Fine Food & Wines, Exel, Liberty Wines

Nose of baked apple and candied fruits, then a very fresh and lively palate of classic nougat and coffee notes, toasty oak, showing the benefits of ageing. Engagingly intense finish. Drink 2021-2032 Alc 14%

CVNE, Imperial 2014

90 SJE 89 CP 89 BW 93

£40-£49.90

Hatch Mansfield, Millésima

Starts savoury with leathery notes, travels through dark fruits, intense chocolatey oak with earthy, mushroom flavours and finishes with sour freshness. Pleasant. Drink 2021-2030 Alc 13.5%

Muriel, Viña Muriel Tierras de Lastra 2011

90 SJE 89 CP 90 BW 91 £23

Dulwich Vintners

Lots of exuberant character here: menthol, sour cherries, cedar and bay leaf. Big, bold palate with tannins that are still firm, but juiciness and some warmth. Youthful and vibrant. Drink 2021-2030 Alc 14%