Emilio Moro 2023
Deep, opaque purple-black. Concentrated nose of black cherry, ripe plum and blueberry over a savoury core of crushed liquorice, sweet tobacco, cedar and vanilla from the oak. Full-bodied with fine-grained tannins, a polished mid-palate and a long, structured finish lifted by the limestone-driven freshness of the Ribera del Duero plateaus. Excellent with grilled lamb, suckling pig, ribeye or aged Manchego.
Áster Reserva 2022
Brilliant cherry-red with violet edge. Penetrating, complex nose of ripe blueberry, blackberry and black plum with balsamic and spicy notes, fine cedar and toasted oak, and an underlying lift of black pepper, liquorice and clove. Full-bodied and powerful on the palate, with fine, mature tannins, balanced acidity and a long, persistent finish framed by sweet spice and dark fruit. Drink 2026–2032.
Áster Finca El Espino 2020
Deep, opaque ruby with violet edge. The nose offers concentrated black plum, cassis and ripe blackberry, with notes of black pepper, liquorice, cedar, sweet spice and a savoury graphite/mineral lift from the limestone terroir. Full-bodied and structured on the palate, with fine-grained ripe tannins, vibrant Ribera acidity, layered dark fruit and a long, persistent finish. Drink 2026–2032.
Bodegas Vatan Triton Tinta de Toro Old Vines 2019
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.
Viñaguareña Munia Especial 2020
Deep ruby with inky violet hues. Intense aromas of blackcurrant, plum and dark cherry compote, underpinned by vanilla, toasted oak, dark chocolate and a hint of tobacco. Full-bodied and concentrated on the palate with firm, ripe tannins, fresh acidity and a long, structured finish with lingering spice. A serious, ageworthy expression of old-vine Tinta de Toro.
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.
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.
Bodega Numanthia 2019
The Numanthia 2018 is a powerful, complex red wine from Spain's Toro region, made from Tinta de Toro (Tempranillo) grapes, known for its intense dark fruit (plum, blackberry), spice (clove, vanilla, cocoa), and earthy notes (herbs, graphite) with velvety tannins and a long finish, offering richness balanced by elegance and acidity, often scoring in the low to mid-90s from critics. It's a full-bodied wine that ages well and pairs wonderfully with roasted meats, game, and rich Spanish dishes.
Merum Priorati Inici 2020
The Merum Priorati Inici 2020 is a powerful, structured Spanish red from Priorat, a blend of Garnacha, Carinena, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, and sometimes Merlot, offering intense notes of black cherry, licorice, vanilla, oak, and spice, with a mineral-driven palate of ripe red fruits and firm tannins, best paired with rich meats like lamb or rabbit. It's known for its deep color, rich aroma, balanced acidity, and lingering spicy finish, reflecting the region's unique slate soils (llicorella).
Bodegas La Horra Corimbo I 2018
Corimbo I 2018
100% Tempranillo
In the glass shows a deep, youthful cherry-garnet colour. The nose is immediately complex and layered, combining ripe black cherry and plum with fresher red-fruit tones. These are complemented by aromatic wild herbs, balsamic notes and a subtle forest-floor character, underpinned by well-judged oak influences of cedar, cocoa and gentle sweet spice. A faint mineral and graphite edge adds further complexity and lift.
On the palate, Corimbo I 2018 is full-bodied yet notably fresh, with a sense of poise that distinguishes it from more muscular interpretations of the region. The fruit profile remains focused and precise, supported by vibrant acidity and finely grained, polished tannins that provide both shape and length. Oak is present but unobtrusive, contributing texture and savoury nuance rather than dominance. The finish is long and persistent, marked by balsamic freshness, spice and a subtle mineral resonance.
Overall, this is a sophisticated and age-worthy Ribera del Duero that demonstrates restraint, clarity and structural harmony. While already expressive with decanting, its balance of fruit concentration, acidity and tannin suggests a long and positive evolution in bottle over the next two decades.
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.
