17.5/20 Jancis Robinson "90% Tempranillo, 10% Garnacha. Each variety and area were fermented separately in stainless-steel tanks, always with the grape’s own yeast and with spontaneous malolactic conversion. Typical fermentation temperatures of 25 °C, with short macerations. Aged for three-and-a-half years in Bordeaux barrels of French oak, half new and half used, with further blending and then further ageing in bottle. Lustrous dark crimson. Complex and utterly echt, with a long life ahead of it. Really serious wine." 17/20 Julia Harding "Extremely mature colour: dark smudgy browning garnet with bricky rim. Evolved yet dark in colour. Lifted and fragrant with some very slightly volatile notes of raisiny fruit but also an inviting herbal, sweet-tobacco freshness. Sweet, senescent red fruits giving a sweet-fresh complexity with leathery flavours. On the palate, the still-definite tannins are smooth and classic Rioja rather than silky burgundy. VGV for such a mature wine. Needs food because of the tannins. Deep, chewy and generous even in its deliciously evolved state. Ready now but no rush. GV for a complex, mature classic. (JH)"

17.5/20 Jancis Robinson "90% Tempranillo, 10% Garnacha. Each variety and area were fermented separately in stainless-steel tanks, always with the grape’s own yeast and with spontaneous malolactic conversion. Typical fermentation temperatures of 25 °C, with short macerations. Aged for three-and-a-half years in Bordeaux barrels of French oak, half new and half used, with further blending and then further ageing in bottle. Lustrous dark crimson. Complex and utterly echt, with a long life ahead of it. Really serious wine."

UKAN is the new project of the youngest generation of the famous Eguren family. Ukan is a small winery that follows the Bordeaux model and is focused in producing a great wine in very limited quantities. Founded by Koldo Eguren, fifth generation of the family, with the winemaking collaboration of his cousin Eduardo. Together, they seek to reflect the Rioja Alavesa landscape into a unique wine using knowledge acquired from previous generations and adding a younger, more contemporary vision that both have learned in their international experience. The foundation of the project is in the vineyard, where a sustainable and ecological viticulture is practiced. This care for detail is spread into the elaboration process, fully hand-crafted, that takes place in the winery located in Laguardia. UKAN 2020 is the flagship wine, with an excellent second wine called Senderos being the only other wine made. UKAN is a complex, full-bodied, elegant and well-structured wine. Somehow it manages to be very drinkable but has a lot of ageing potential. Deep violet-red to the eye, this wine has a bouquet of blackberry, dark chocolate and caramel. It is luscious on the palate, offering polished tannins wrapped around black cherry, mocha, anisette, violet and butterscotch flavors that wind down to a licorice-infused finish. Highly recommended and freshly arrived in the UK.

A precise, layered nose that shows excellent purity despite some sweet oak spices. More berry fruit comes out as you give it some time in the glass. Plums, cherries, red berries with dark mushrooms, cured meat, grilled spices, stones, vanilla and iodine. Juicy, spiced berries quickly tighten up on the medium- to full-bodied palate with dusty, powerful tannins, allowing it to expand into the finish. It grows on the palate and the creaminess is already chiselled. This will age beautifully in the next 10-15 years.

Smoky and nutty on the nose with aromas of fresh quince, pear, almonds and toasted notes. The palate showcases touches of oak, almonds, camomile, pear, dried apricots and has a creamy feel. There is superb balance and texture, with a line of fine acidity, the wine really develops in the mouth. Capellania pairs well with sea bream, smoked fish, roast chicken, and the cheeseboard at the end of the meal. It's incredibly versatile and also pairs well with Asian dishes. The grapes for Capellania come from the eponymous single vinyeard site, which is situated at an altitude of around 485m, one of the highest points of the Ygay estate. The vines were planted in 1945, so provide wonderfully concentrated grapes for this leading white wine from Rioja.

A full and complex nose, with aromas of cherry and ripe plum that cover notes of tea leaves, cedar and Mediterranean herbs on a background of dried flowers. Defined and deep in the mouth, with polished tannins and full of nuances; harmonious and long-lived. "Aromas of black berries, black olives, black truffles, autumn leaves and earth. Grilled orange peel. Very complex. Medium-bodied with very fine tannins and a complex and complete finish. Nicely persistent and focused. 26 months in American oak. Drink or hold." 96 Points. James Suckling October 2023 (JamesSuckling.com)

The wine is made from three quarters Tempranillo with the balance shared evenly between Garnacha, Graciano and Mazuelo. It has been aged for 6 years in American oak, with racking taking place twice every year. A traditional Rioja par excellence, the 2001, marries fruit and spice, charcuterie, vanillin and earthy richness; a cornucopia of quality in other words and one which will continue to get better and better.

The Wine Advocate 96/100 The 2001 Viña Bosconia Gran Reserva fits the profile of the wine, a little riper (is it Garnacha?) with heady aromas and a touch of rusticity. 2001 saw good yields of very healthy grapes. They started picking the reds the 15th of October, and the last grapes were picked the 29th of October with good weather. The grapes ripened properly and thoroughly, and the wine has great balance for a long aging in bottle. This is 80% Tempranillo, 15% Garnacho and the rest Graciano and Mazuelo that fermented in their 153-year-old oak vats with indigenous yeasts and matured in used barrels for 10 years. It has 13% alcohol, a pH of 3.4 and 6.5 grams of acidity (tartaric). As the wine sat in the glass (even overnight), it became finer and subtler. 5,000 bottles produced. It was bottled in July 2012. The Gran Reserva wines from López de Heredia come back to the market with the heralded 2001 vintage. Otherwise, when I asked them about news, the answer was "We continue making Viña Tondonia as we have always done." Basically, they are against change...

Lopez de Haro Tempranillo is pure young Tempranillo: strawberries, raspberries, flowers and red licorice notes. A pleasure to drink slightly chilled with charcuterie. Refreshing and a real bargain.

"The 2001 Viña Tondonia Gran Reserva is the follow-up of the 1995. There is a sense of harmony and elegance, of nuance and subtleness that wasn't quite the same in the Bosconia, as comparing both wines is inevitable. They started picking the red grapes the 15th of October, and the last grapes were picked the 29th of October with good weather. The grapes ripened properly and thoroughly, and the wine has great balance for a long aging in bottle. This is 70% Tempranillo, 20% Garnacho and 5% each Graciano and Mazuelo that fermented in their 153-year-old oak vats with indigenous yeasts and matured in used barrels for 10 years. It has 13% alcohol, a pH of 3.4 and 6.4 grams of acidity (tartaric). The nose shows young (tasting it blind, you'd guess a 10-year old wine, not a 20-year-old wine!). It has a nose of sweet spices, underbrush and cigar ash, somewhat balsamic, bramble fruit with perfect ripeness, integrated and young but starting to show some tertiary complexity. The palate is velvety and medium-bodied, with fine-grained, chalky tannins denoting a limestone soil that brings finesse and texture and a sapid, tasty, almost salty finish. This is going to make a beautiful bottle of old Rioja in 30 years' time! 25,000 bottles produced. " It was bottled after being fined with egg whites in July 2012. Drink 2021-2040. 98/100. Luis Gutierrez, The Wine Advocate – Oct. 2020

95/100 Decanter "Another wonderful example of aged white Rioja with an inherent creaminess, volume and immediate appeal. It has the potential to age further but is absolutely ready to drink now. In a blend of Viura and Malvasía with 10% Garnacha Blanca, the oak - aged for three years in oak barriques sourced from France and Eastern Europe, one third each new, second-use and third-use - supports the wine perfectly with a fresh grainy texture and the lemon backbone is persistent and somewhat refreshing."

Ripe red fruits combine with interwoven oak to give touches of spice, cherries and a hint of licquorice. A beautifully elegant, lasting finish. 12 months in French oak & 6 months in American oak

This wine shows that old dogs can be taught new tricks. Murrieta is about as traditional as they come in Rioja yet Dalmau is ultra modern. The nose is defined by deep ripe black fruit with hints of black spices, balsamic and mineral aromas. Full-bodied, juicy tannins and endless spicy finish. Powerful, round and solid. “A Dalmau with strong character, more concentrated and expressive compared to its predecessors” Maria Vargas - Technical Director. To speak about Dalmau is to speak about Canajas, a unique single vineyard within our 741-acre (300-hectare) Ygay Estate. The vines in that vineyard are more than 60 years old and are located at 465 meters altitude. Long maceration during fermentation, ageing in new French oak barrels and very limited production characterize the wine. This modern Rioja wine made from Tempranillo, Cabernet Sauvignon and Graciano perfectly reflects the innovations taking place at Marqués de Murrieta. The Cebrián-Sagarriga family, who in 1983 acquired the winery, established in 1852, has a distinct winemaking philosophy that is founded in the pursuit of quality and excellence through tradition and innovation. Scores: GUÍA GOURMETS (SPA): 99 POINTS. GUÍA PROENSA (SPA): 99 POINTS. WINE ENTHUSIAST (USA): 98 POINTS. JAMES SUCKLING (USA): 97 POINTS. TIM ATKIN (UK): 97 POINTS. GUÍA PEÑIN (SPA): 96 POINTS. GUÍA ABC (SPA): 95 POINTS. ROBERT PARKER (USA): 95 POINTS. WINE SPECTATOR (USA): 93 POINTS.

Macán represents a historic union of the Rothschild and Álvarez families, founded in 2009 to develop a modern classic from Rioja Alavesa. The winery’s ethos is deeply connected to its environment; the name pays homage to the local people of San Vicente de la Sonsierra, known as ‘macanés’. The grapes for Macán are sourced from select parcels at an average altitude of 500 metres, including the finest sites in San Vicente de la Sonsierra, Labastida, Ábalos, and El Villar. The 2021 vintage stands out as a memorable achievement, offering a refined expression that is both fresh and profoundly deep. Macán 2021 matured for a total of 18 months in barrels, extra fine and fine grain French wood, the majority in new barrels and the rest in second-use barrels, and casks, followed by six months in oak vats, then has28 months of bottle ageing before release. The Vintage The 2021 vintage was marked by above average rainfall, which helped replenish the vineyard's water reserves. A mild spring supported smooth budbreak. On 16 June, heavy storms - with hail in some plots -affected around seven hectares of vineyard. Summer was cool and steady. Harvest took place from 19th September to 7th October.

Macán Clásico is a wine firmly rooted in the Sonsierra in La Rioja. Drawing its character from the slopes of the Sierra de Cantabria, the wine has inherent freshness, fruitiness, and vibrancy. The Macán Clásico is vinified in stainless-steel tanks to maximise fruit purity. The winemaking team was attentive to integrating the oak seamlessly during the subsequent maturation. The wine is aged for10 months in barrels (new and second-use French extra-fine grained oak). Maturation is completed with 18 months in bottle before release. The Vintage. Spring was mild with ideal flowering. A hailstorm on 16 June affected 7 hectares. Harvest occurred in stable weather 19thSeptember to 7th October.

UKAN is the new project of the youngest generation of the famous Eguren family. Ukan is a small winery that follows the Bordeaux model and is focused in producing a great wine in very limited quantities. Founded by Koldo Eguren, fifth generation of the family, with the winemaking collaboration of his cousin Eduardo. Together, they seek to reflect the Rioja Alavesa landscape into a unique wine using knowledge acquired from previous generations and adding a younger, more contemporary vision that both have learned in their international experience. The foundation of the project is in the vineyard, where a sustainable and ecological viticulture is practiced. This care for detail is spread into the elaboration process, fully hand-crafted, that takes place in the winery located in Laguardia. UKAN 2020 is the flagship wine, with an excellent second wine called Senderos being the only other wine made. UKAN is a complex, full-bodied, elegant and well-structured wine. Somehow it manages to be very drinkable but has a lot of ageing potential. Deep violet-red to the eye, this wine has a bouquet of blackberry, dark chocolate and caramel. It is luscious on the palate, offering polished tannins wrapped around black cherry, mocha, anisette, violet and butterscotch flavors that wind down to a licorice-infused finish. Highly recommended and freshly arrived in the UK.

Cherry red colour with a garnet rim, intense aromas of black fruit, blackberries and blueberries, accompanied by deep aromas of fresh red fruit, together with creamy notes of green coffee and a background of vanilla and spices. On the palate it is intense, round. and silky with flavours of ripe red berries of the forest, vanilla and mineral notes of chalk and silky silica sandstone, in the retronasal notes of very ripe red berries appear, with a very long finish, the texture of the calcareous soil is also appreciated and the sand that gives us freshness and persistence in the mouth.

94/100 Luis Guttierez, WineAdvocate "There was a big crop, and it was not easy, but it was possible to make great wines." The 2013 Viña Tondonia Blanco Reserva has nutty aromas, perhaps showing a little more development, but according to Mercedes López de Heredia, "[With] the old vines with the right rootstock, in the right soils, you can have more or less quality, but you're not going to have a disaster." It's a wine that has to have aging potential, and they need to start with good grapes, so they harvested earlier, as their grapes were riper because they had lowered their yields. They took risks, and I think they got it right. The palate has intense and pungent flavors, a velvety mouthfeel and a vibrant core of acidity, with a fine thread and a chalky finish. But it's a slightly weaker year. 14,000 bottles produced. It was bottled in April 2022."

100/100. Luis Gutierrez, The Wine Advocate – Feb 2024 "I was very much looking forward to the 2004 Viña Tondonia Blanco Gran Reserva, the next vintage of this wine after the spectacular 2001. 2004 was a perfect climate year. This is a developed white that was matured in well-seasoned, neutral American oak barrels for 10 years in their old caves, where the wine gets pungent aromas of mushrooms, pollen, beeswax, white pepper, kerosene, cereals and something herbal (celery and even asparagus) that reminded me of the 1964. The palate is velvety and dry and super tasty, with a salty twist in the finish. It's still a baby even after years in bottle. This should age superbly in bottle. I think this is slightly better than the 2001, one of the freshest and most elegant vintages for this bottling. Bravo! 10,000 bottles were filled in November 2018. Before and after aging in barrel, the Gran Reserva wines also spend some time in oak vats."

97/100 Decanter "Over the past decade, Bodega Hacienda López de Haro has become one of Rioja’s rising stars, a producer capable of making both consistently high-quality, high-volume brands and smaller-scale ‘artisanal’ bottlings such as this Gran Reserva Rosado. It’s a blend of 60% Viura and 40% Garnacha, macerated for 24-48 hours before fermentation in stainless steel. The wine was then matured for four years in French and Eastern European oak barriques, mostly new. It spent a further five years in bottle before release. David Williams: Complex interplay of polished wood, cherry and rosehip, and macadamia nuts, a touch of sweet green olive and fennel, baked strawberry: just fascinating. Very savoury and satisfying, with lovely glide and a silky texture. Matthew Forster MW: Brick red, attenuated colour, firm savoury oak aromas. Concentrated stewed plum fruit, with rose petal and caramel on the finish. Very complete. Diana Rollan: Intense and complex, oxidative style. Notes of dried cranberry, orange zest and sandalwood. Textured, elegant and vibrant, with a subtle saline finish. Superb." Julia Harding on jancisrobinson.com 17.5/20 "Deep coppery pink. Aromas as dramatic as the colour: rich notes of orange-skinned plums and spiced apricots (though no impression of sweetness). A touch of dried grasses. In the mouth, this is fabulous, especially for the price. Mouth-wateringly fresh, layers and layers of flavour and just the right amount of tannic structure (more than I expected, perhaps more from the oak than from the maceration) for the wine to continue to age well, though it is delicious now. Firm, persistent and a style it is hard to find outside Rioja. Great length. A wine to savour at the table. VGV".

With it's cherry red colour in the glass, you'll get intense black fruit aromas, blackberries and blueberries, and deeper aromas of red fruits, notes of coffee and vanilla peeking through in the back ground. On the palate, it's those black and red fruits, vanilla and mineral chalky notes (from the Tempranillo). A long long finish, slightly dry on the palate. But don't take my word for it ... The Wine Critics say 93 Points Penin Guide - Aromas of ripe fruit, dried herbs, creamy oak, toasty Flavours - powerful, ripe fruit, spicy, round tannins 92 Points James Suckling.com

UKAN is the new project of the youngest generation of the famous Eguren family. We highly recommended them and they are freshly arrived in the UK. UKAN is a small winery that follows the Bordeaux model and is focused in producing a great wine in very limited quantities. Founded by Koldo Eguren, fifth generation of the family, with the winemaking collaboration of his cousin Eduardo. Together, they seek to reflect the Rioja Alavesa landscape into a unique wine using knowledge acquired from previous generations and adding a younger, more contemporary vision that both have learned in their international experience. The foundation of the project is in the vineyard, where a sustainable and ecological viticulture is practiced. This care for detail is spread into the winemaking process, fully hand-crafted, that takes place in the winery located in Laguardia. Senderos de UKAN is the result of a careful selection of Tempranillo vineyards from different villages in Rioja Alavesa, mainly planted on limestone soil. There is great energy, freshness and character here, moreish yet impressive with every taste.

A crisp unoaked White Rioja made from the Viura variety. Slightly lemony and beautiful with any seafood tapas.

2012 Vintage Report 2012 was rated as a ‘very good’ vintage in Rioja. The year was defined by the lack of rain which was 25% lower than normal for the region with over a third of the rainfall falling after the harvest. High spring and summer temperatures resulted in picking starting early. The rain finally began to fall on 11th October, extending the harvest by an extra week but all grapes were in by 18th October, which is still early for Haro. Given the dry conditions, yields were down as grapes were small. However, they were also very healthy and López de Heredia are very happy with the quality of the vintage, saying that the wines, ‘continue to develop favourably in terms of freshness and fineness’ and that they have a long ageing potential. The 2012 is a blend of 70% Tempranillo and 20% Garnacho with the remaining 10% a mix of Graciano and Mazuelo. The wine was aged in barrel for 6 years, being racked twice per year and fined with fresh egg whites. Overall, the wine has spent 10 years maturing in the perfect, cool conditions of López de Heredia’s incredible underground cellars and was bottled in January 2022. Tasting Notes The nose of the 2012 Tondonia Tinto Reserva is gloriously open, perfumed and fine. Gentle aromas of jamón and cured leather mingle with subtle notes of raspberry tea and a touch of musky, cedar spice. A sweet red cherry compote top note comes through but, above all, this is remarkably scented, floral and mineral-pure Tondonia. The palate is incredibly fresh with well-defined red fruit and a vibrating hint of orange zest at the back. This is a more accessible and less dense style than the previous two vintages but that is more than compensated for by its superb poise and sense of energy. Reminiscent of the lovely 2009 in its charm, the wine dances on the palate towards the focused, pure finish. Delicious. Drink 2024 (decanted) to 2042. Catriona Felstead MW, Senior Buyer BBR “2012 López de Heredia Viña Tondonia Tinto Reserva (13%)

Fermented in steel and aged for 2 months in French oak It has lovely floral and citrus fruit notes on the nose, more on the palate and thirst quenching acidity. Really pleasing to drink on its own or with creamy dishes.

Elegant and round. It is well balanced with a velvety attack followed by a pleasant acidity and a silky and full-bodied aftertaste resulting from its noble and ripe tannin. Its long aftertaste has spicy and balsamic hints, resulting from its long and peaceful ageing, as well as confit fruit nuances that uncover its personality.

Lopez de Haro Tempranillo is pure young Tempranillo: strawberries, raspberries, flowers and red licorice notes. A pleasure to drink slightly chilled with charcuterie. Refreshing and a real bargain.

90% Tempranillo, 5% Graciano and 5% Garnacha from Rioja, Spain. The wine spends 20 months in a combination of French and American oak barrels. Inviting aromas of ripe black cherry, nice vanilla notes and a touch of balsamic. The wine tastes smooth and round in the mouth with lots of tart black cherry fruit, sweet spice notes, liquorice and more vanilla.

Beronia has blended modern and traditional touches to create a fine gran reserva with spice, vanilla, coconut, tobacco and dried berry aromas. Plump black fruits blend with cacao and cedar notes, finishing with layers of smooth spice. Our Gran Reserva is full-bodied with silky tannins and a long, smooth finish.

Fermented in steel and aged for 2 months in French oak It has lovely floral and citrus fruit notes on the nose, more on the palate and thirst quenching acidity. Really pleasing to drink on its own or with creamy dishes.

Hacienda Lopez de Haro continues to rack up awards for being one of the best quality best value Rioja brands, and this Crianza is its flagship. It's a no brainer delicious wine with lovely pure flavours and 18 months ageing in French and American oak barrels.

Top-end and faultless. Beautifully broad, aristocratic dinner wine. Liquorice, chopped nuts, balsamic, leather. Silky rounded tannins. Tons of awards

This is Rioja at its precocious youthful best, with intense raspberry and black cherry fruit overlayed with a flourish of vanilla and coconut from 4 months in American oak. It is beautifully balanced with medium weight and cushioned by fine grain tannins." Ted Sandbach

A beautifully balanced example of white Rioja that straddles the styles of the old and the new. Vibrant citrussy Viura is blended with the more weighty Malvasia and the brief barrel maturation adds a honeyed roundness to the crisp lemony fruit. Beautiful golden yellow colour with bright lemon-tinted reflections. Elegant, combining hints of flowers, fruits and hazelnuts. Dry, with just enough acidity to make it fresh and lively with a structured and tasty finish of ripe fruit.

Very good Rioja that offers superb value. One year in a mixture of French and American oak barrels, adds texture and flavour to the tempranillo dominant blend from one of Rioja's most consistent producers.

Mid-deep ruby. Ripe, red-cherry fruit, with beautifully layered clove and cedar oak spice notes. Lovely integration of oak and fruit. Well crafted, though there’s a good backbone of fine tannins that will carry it through for a decade from now. Such a delicate, nuanced Rioja that's full of red berries, blueberries, grilled pepper, spices and minerals. So transparent and ethereal, with lots of finesse and delicacy. The tannins are fine, with a very silky, elegant center palate. Seamless and long. Drink from 2025.

A small family-run bodega near the village of Navarrete, in the heart of Rioja D.O.C., making wines of great integrity and some finesse. It was founded in 1918 and is today run by Antonio Navajas and his wife. This is a big favourite of many of our customers and on a 'value for money' basis it is not hard to understand why.