La Rioja Alta

Marqués de Murrieta

Castillo Ygay Gran Reserva Especial Rioja Tempranillo Blend 1998

What a wine! I really loved this. Dark complexity with silky smoothness. Could drink this any time anywhere! — 9 days ago

Dick, Ira and 17 others liked this

Viña Real (CVNE)

Gran Reserva Rioja Tempranillo Blend 2017

Medium deep ruby with quite a thin lightly garnet rim. Spiced dark cherry , with some sweet blackberry , raspberry , vanilla , cocoa , earthy leather and grafite . Quite young , dense and compacted on the nose. On the palate this quite intense with quite high acidity , slightly strict with lightly gritty tannins , cherry , blackberry , spiced raspberry , some touches of grafite , dried spices and leather . This is quite young , needs a little more time but is promising with good density , freshness and balance . Come back in 3-4 years and will drink well over the next 10-15 — 9 days ago

Scott@Mister, Somm and 5 others liked this

Bodegas Muga

Selección Especial Rioja Tempranillo 2020

Really dark fruit and a splash of mint. To quote Led Zeppelin and the legendary @Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego , you gotta whole lotta oak, you gotta whole lotta oak 🎶
Listening to Supersuckers
— 14 days ago

Joel, Tegan and 34 others liked this
Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego Premium Badge

@Dave Haha forgot about this bit of goofiness. Brought a smile to my face on a day off. All the best (wines)!! :)
Dave

Dave

That's what I'm here for @Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego
Tegan Marriott

Tegan Marriott

You're right Muga's oak treatments with the new American & French & their egg white fining does come at yah in full force!

R. López de Heredia

Viña Tondonia Reserva Rioja Blanco Malvasia Viura 2008

Salted orange peel. Butterscotch. Toasted nuts. Amaze balls. — 2 days ago

Tom, Scott@Mister and 1 other liked this

La Rioja Alta

Gran Reserva 904 Rioja Tempranillo Graciano 2015

Quite good. Worth the $$ paid. — 8 days ago

Jay, Andrew and 2 others liked this

Baron de Ley

Reserva Rioja Tempranillo 2020

This is delicious! Not made to age for the long haul, but it has a few years in it. Great cherry and raspberry flavors, smooth tannins. Just yummy, and I am inclined to like it better than the Muga I had earlier 😊
Listening to Gram Parsons
— 14 days ago

Andrew, Tom and 27 others liked this

Marqués de Murrieta

Reserva Finca Ygay Rioja Tempranillo Blend 2015

Came highly rated by WS and I aged it for at least 6 years. Aged beautifully and really showed off the potential of Rioja wines. Wish I had more! — 12 days ago

La Rioja Alta

Viña Alberdi Reserva Rioja Tempranillo 2020

4/2026. Good fruit with some spice. Full flavor that paired well with the dry aged ribeye at Halls Chophouse. — 11 days ago

Ed, Scott@Mister and 1 other liked this

R. López de Heredia

Viña Bosconia Reserva Rioja Tempranillo Blend 2011

It’s been a few years since I last checked in to the 2011 vintage of LdH Viña Bosconia and, to my palate, time has been kind. This is far more balanced and open than my previous experience. Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of an hour. The 2011 pours a ruby color with a transparent core; medium viscosity with moderate staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of ripe cherry, dill, toasted coconut, leather, tobacco, dried earth and spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannins and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long. Delicious. Drink now through 2036. — a day ago

Jan, Lyle and 12 others liked this

Bodegas Faustino

Faustino V Reserva Rioja Tempranillo Blend 2018

Bodegas Faustino – Faustino V Reserva
Tempranillo-based Blend 2018
DOCa Rioja – Spain 🇪🇸

Overview
A standout vintage combining freshness, balance, and precision. The 2018 shows the most complete expression among the last two vintages (v16 & v17), harmonizing fruit, oak, and structure beautifully.

Aromas & Flavors
Fresh red berries, cherry, subtle vanilla, cedar, and refined spice with a lifted aromatic profile.

Mouthfeel
Medium-bodied with vibrant acidity, polished tannins, and a beautifully balanced, lingering finish. More energetic and refined than prior vintages.

Food Pairings
Versatile, grilled meats, tapas, roasted vegetables, or even casual pairings.

Verdict
The most complete and balanced of the last two; Fresh, elegant, and structured this is the sweet spot vintage.

Did You Know?
2018 in Rioja is widely regarded as a balanced vintage, offering both freshness and aging potential, often outperforming expectations at this price tier. (I have also reviewed v16 & v17).

🍷 Personal Pick
The winner of the lineup, precision, freshness, and balance all in one. A textbook example of why Rioja Reserva remains one of the best value categories in the world.
— 21 days ago

Tom, Daniel and 2 others liked this