Solar de Samaniego Reserva 2019
Deep ruby-cherry with violet highlights. The nose is aromatic and expressive — red and dark fruits, dried herbs, vanilla, sweet oak and a hint of tobacco. The palate is medium-full bodied with smooth, integrated tannins, refreshing acidity and a long, spice-tinged finish. A classic Rioja Alavesa Reserva with excellent balance and real depth of character.
La Rioja Alta Viña Alberdi Reserva 2020
La Rioja Alta, S.A. Viña Alberdi Reserva 2020 is a classic Rioja made from 100% Tempranillo, showing a bright garnet color and expressive aromas of ripe red fruits such as raspberry, strawberry, and red cherry. These fruit notes are layered with traditional American oak influences—vanilla, coconut, sweet spice, tobacco, and a light balsamic touch—giving the wine a fragrant, inviting nose.
On the palate, it is medium-bodied and fresh, with lively acidity and silky, well-integrated tannins. The red fruit remains at the core, complemented by subtle smoky, cedar, and toasted notes from barrel aging. The texture is polished and balanced, offering both approachability and structure, with a long, smooth finish marked by lingering fruit and gentle spice.
Critics have rated the 2020 vintage in the low-90s, praising its harmony, elegance, and faithful expression of traditional Rioja Reserva style. It is drinking well now but has the balance to evolve gracefully over the next 5–7 years, making it a versatile and food-friendly choice for dishes like grilled meats, roasted vegetables, and cured cheeses.
Nivarius La Nevera Rioja Blanco 2019
The 2019 Nivarius Finca La Nevera is a refreshing, high-altitude Rioja white (Maturana Blanca) from Nalda, showing intense aromas of pear, apple, quince, and white flowers. It features a creamy yet structured texture with high acidity, subtle nutty notes, and a long, savory mineral finish.
Key Tasting Notes
Aroma: Intense and fresh, featuring ripe apple, pear, white blossom, and hints of lemon rind.
Palate: Medium-bodied with a creamy, textured mouthfeel from lees aging, balanced by high acidity and mineral, slightly balsamic undertones.
Finish: Long, crisp, and slightly nutty, with notes of yogurt or fine lees.
Varietal & Vineyard: Made primarily from the rare native grape Maturana Blanca, grown at 800 meters, which contributes to its aromatic intensity and natural freshness.
Pairing & Service
Best served between 8-10°C, this wine pairs well with baked fish, seafood, roasted white meats, and creamy rice dishes.
Valenciso Rioja Reserva 2019
Valenciso Rioja Reserva 2019
The 2019 Valenciso Reserva is highly regarded by critics, often praised for its balance between classic Rioja style and modern, elegant, and fresh characteristics. It is produced from 100% Tempranillo, typically aged in French oak for around 17–19 months.
Critic Ratings & Notes
Critics have awarded the 2019 Valenciso Reserva scores ranging from 92 to 94 points.
Tim Atkin MW (94 Points): Described the wine as "youthful, structured and vigorous," a "compact, serious, age-worthy red" with dark plum and blackberry fruit and a "balsamic undertone".
James Suckling (93 Points): Noted "ripe, racy aromas of dark plums, cherries, dark earth, walnut husks, dark mushrooms and graphite" and a "restrained and rather understated" style with a medium body and "fine-grained tannins".
Decanter (93 Points): Highlighted "fleshy black fruit" integrated with "subtle savouriness of thyme, wild oregano, macerated sage and mint".
Vinous (92 Points): Described a garnet hue with "red fruit, cherry and light jammy notes alongside gentle oak" and a "dry and juicy" palate with "firm, fine-grained tannins and good intensity".
General Characteristics
Reviewers note a perfumed aroma with violet, blackberry, and savoury spice. The palate is described as juicy and powerful, with "gentle" or "fine" tannins. The wine shows balanced acidity and a structure suggesting good aging potential. The overall style is often called "understated" and "elegant".
Pairing & Drinking Window
Recommendations for food pairings include roast lamb, game pie, strong cheeses, and grilled dishes. The wine is suitable for drinking now but has the structure for further aging, with suggested windows generally extending from 2024 to 2035.
These reviews detail the tasting notes and ratings for the 2019 Valenciso Reserva, highlighting its complex aromas, palate structure, and potential for aging.
Hermanos Peciña Señorío de P. Peciña Gran Reserva 2014
Hermanos Pecina Gran Reserva Rioja 2014
⭐ Critical Acclaim
Vinous – 93 points
Praised for its lifted, balsamic-tinged aromatics, blending herbal notes, dried flowers, subtle vanilla and black fruit. Critics note a dry, elegant palate with sharp acidity and a lighter, more refined Gran Reserva structure.
Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate – 92 points
Described as already showing appealing development and tertiary complexity. Notes of sweet spices, leather, brick dust and subtle savoury tones. Considered a graceful, lighter-bodied Gran Reserva with polished texture and excellent balance.
Wine Spectator – 90 points
Commended for its earthy, savoury style, with dried cherry, plum, thyme, vanilla and a hint of iron. The tannins are light and creamy, and the wine is seen as balanced, clean and modestly structured, with a good mid-term drinking window.
Tim Atkin MW
Highlights it as a “real deal” traditional Gran Reserva: subtle, nuanced and savoury. Notes of red berry fruit, leather, pastry spices and bright acidity. Commended for finesse and balance, with drinking potential through the early 2030s.
Bodegas Roda Reserva 2019
Bodegas Roda Reserva 2019 is a sophisticated red wine from Spain's Rioja region, primarily made from Tempranillo grapes. It is known for its complex aromas of black fruit, chocolate, and spices, and its full-bodied, elegant palate with refined tannins. The wine underwent a 14–16 month aging period in French oak barrels (50% new, 50% used) followed by extensive bottle aging to ensure its structure, complexity, and long finish.
Wine characteristics
Grape varieties: A blend of 94% Tempranillo, 4% Graciano, and 2% Garnacha.
Tasting notes:
Aromas: Black cherry, plum, violet, mineral notes, and hints of spices like clove and cinnamon.
Palate: Voluminous, balanced, and rich with black fruit, minerality, spices, and cocoa flavors.
Structure: Full-bodied, elegant, with refined tannins and balanced acidity.
Finish: Long-lasting, firm, and harmonious.
Baigorri Blanco Fermentado en Barrica 2018
Baigorri Blanco Fermentado en Barrica 2018 is an elegant, barrel-fermented white Rioja crafted primarily from old-vine Viura. It opens with aromas of ripe pear, white peach, and citrus zest layered with subtle notes of toasted oak, vanilla, and almond. On the palate, it’s rich yet balanced, showing creamy texture, vibrant acidity, and a lingering mineral finish. This vintage captures both freshness and depth — a fine example of modern white Rioja with character and finesse.
Nivarius, ‘Lia’ Pet-Nat Rosado 2022
La Rioja Alta S.A 904 Rioja Gran Reserva 2016
Critical Acclaim & Scores
Vinous — 97/100
Described as beautifully mature and expressive, showing a sun-kissed profile with clove, licorice, vanilla, caramel, tobacco leaf and bay. The palate is complex, creamy and seamless, finishing with a touch of camphor for lift.
James Suckling — 97/100
A deep, complex Rioja with richness, intensity and complete harmony. Aromas include cigar box, pine, wild mushrooms and fine oak. The finish is long, juicy and hedonistically satisfying.
Wine Advocate — 96/100
Called “spectacular” and a benchmark example of traditional Rioja. Aromas of cigar box, balsamic herbs, dried tea leaves, leather and tobacco. The palate is silky, fresh, structured and extremely long, with polished tannins and excellent aging potential.
Tim Atkin MW — 95/100
A defiantly traditional wine from a cooler vintage. Notes of mocha, Asian spice, ash, tobacco leaf, pomegranate and wild strawberry. Refined, elegant, sculpted and built for longevity.
La Rioja Alta Viña Arana Gran Reserva 2017
🍷 Tasting Profile: The wine typically shows a complex, layered nose with aromas of balsamic red and black fruits (like cherry, blackcurrant and raspberry) intertwined with spice, vanilla, toasted oak, cinnamon, brioche and subtle earthy or mineral notes from its long barrel ageing. On the palate critics and sellers describe it as medium-full bodied, balanced and fresh, with silky, fine-grained tannins, lively acidity and a long, persistent finish that combines fruit, spice and oak harmoniously.
📊 Critics’ Views: The 2017 vintage has been well-received by critics, with most scores in the 93–96/100 range. James Suckling (96) highlights a deep, savoury nose with energy and a long finish, while Jeb Dunnuck (94) praises its classic structure, integrated acidity and gravelly mineral profile. Vinous (94) notes its sun-kissed red fruit, balsamic wood and fine texture, and Wine Advocate (93) calls it harmonious and elegant, a strong performance given the challenging vintage.
📅 Ageing Potential: Critics generally agree the wine will continue to evolve positively with further cellaring. Many suggest peak drinking from the mid-2020s into the 2030s or beyond, with structure and freshness that should support longer-term development.
La Rioja Alta Viña Ardanza 2019
La Rioja Alta S.A. Viña Ardanza 2019
The vintage is regarded as outstanding, with strong ageing potential.
Colour: Bright cherry red with medium-high density and a classic garnet rim.
Aroma: Redcurrant, plum and cherry layered with balsamic touches and spice notes such as black pepper, licorice, clove, nutmeg and vanilla.
Palate: Fresh, balanced and elegant. Sweet, refined tannins, vibrant acidity, red-fruit purity, hints of cedar and tobacco leaf, and a long, energetic finish.
Critic Scores
Jeb Dunnuck: 96
James Suckling: 95
Wine Advocate (Robert Parker): 94
Decanter: 94
Vinous: 93
Valenciso Rioja Blanco 2023
Valenciso Rioja Blanco 2023
Complex aromas combining floral characters with preserved lemon and gently smoky notes. The palate is intense and broad with nuts, stone fruit, minerality and balancing citrus acidity on the finish. Will continue to develop in the bottle.
A white wine that will benefit from decanting. Serve with hake, saffron and mustard mash.
95 pts – Tim Atkin MW Rioja Special Report 2024
Very appealingly priced given its quality and its ability to age in bottle, the latest release of the Valenciso Blanco is one of the best yet. Pairing Viura with 30% Garnacha Blanca, with ageing in Caucasian oak, this is appealingly fresh and understated, showing layers of pear, citrus peel, jasmine and honeysuckle and a hint of beeswax. 2024-30
