Rioja Baja, La Rioja

R. López de Heredia

Viña Tondonia Gran Reserva Rioja Tempranillo Blend 1995

Medium garnet with a medium terracotta rim . Herbal and dried flowers at first with some iodine , dried mushroom , sous bois . On the palate this is more elegant and evolved with light strawberry , raspberry , spiced cherry , herbal hints , old wood , black tea . Great balanced acidity and fine but present tannins . Long finish , with strawberry conserve , mineral hints . This is in it drinking window but will probably give a further 10 or so years of prime drinking . Slightly finer and small boned than the 2001, but lacks nothing in complexity — a day ago

Jan, Tom and 7 others liked this

C.V.N.E. (Compañía Vinícola del Norte de España)

Cune Gran Reserva Rioja Tempranillo Blend 2012

2012 drinking in 2025. Still has a few years in it. Superbly reliable vineyard, with a great history of great wines. Cherries, blackberry, earthy notes and some light oak. Similar in the mouth though a bit thinner than I would have imagined. Really superb classic rioja bought in 2019 at a great price in the UK — 5 days ago

La Rioja Alta

Viña Alberdi Reserva Rioja Tempranillo 2020

Tasted during WSET Level 2 class on 6/9/25. Very good tenparanillo. Mix of red and black fruits, hints of spice! — a day ago

Campo Viejo

Rioja Tempranillo 2021

Classic Spanish flag color of yellow with red writing. Good brick red color. Just a hint of a purple core. Aroma is stones and red/black cherry cobblers-pies. Slightest of linseed oils. Flavors are bright, fresh Temp. Crunchy and dry. Just a hint of fennel or oregano. Has a classic feel and flavor. Would be great for watching El Clasico. — 19 days ago

Douglas liked this

R. López de Heredia

Viña Tondonia Reserva Rioja Blanco Malvasia Viura 2000

Quite yellow gold colour , wide light lemon rim. Shows quite a lot of development . Quite toasty with roasted nuts , candied citrus peel , candle wax , ginger , saffron, curry powder, sea breeze. On the palate this is structured and quite full bodied with the nutty character , ginger and candied lemon rind , great intensity and grip , salty , balanced acidity and very long and balanced on the finish . Drinking well now but needs time to open , will probably continue at this high level for another 5-10 years and maybe even improve further — a day ago

Dave, Jan and 5 others liked this

R. López de Heredia

Viña Tondonia Gran Reserva Rioja Blanco Malvasia Viura 2001

This is exceptional. Lemon oil and greenery. Integrated and slightly smoky. An oiliness in the palate, with a sweetness and intensity. Great freshness but a gorgeous complex mid palate. Great — 3 days ago

Jay, Ira and 12 others liked this

Marqués de Riscal

Reserva Herederos del Marques de Riscal Rioja Tempranillo 2017

Haven’t had in ages. Plenty of dill, vanilla, & red fruits. — 15 days ago

Tom, jesus and 8 others liked this
Jay Kline

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One of the best wines for the money, anywhere.
Peter Sultan

Peter Sultan Influencer Badge

High praise indeed @Jay Kline ! Was my intro to Rioja several decades ago. It is reliable @Peter van den Besselaar .

R. López de Heredia

Viña Tondonia Rioja Rosé Blend 2011

Medium copper salmon colour , with wide slightly yellow tinged rim . Toasty notes , with some dried herbs , orange rind , candle wax , toasted almonds , sea breeze, in some ways quite similar to the white reserva. On the palate this is quite intense and grippy again , with a nutty , spiced orange rind , dried red fruit . Good balanced acidity , good volume and decent length . This is ready and drinking well now but will probably last well over the next 5 -8 years, though I don’t see it improving — a day ago

Jeroen, Tom and 3 others liked this

R. López de Heredia

Viña Tondonia Reserva Rioja Tempranillo Blend 2004

Medium ruby garnet quite narrow terracotta rim . Quite herbal , dried strawberry and red cherry nose , touch of iodine , sous bois , dried mushroom notes , discreet roasted coffee note after a while. Quite pretty red fruits on the palate with good freshness , strawberry , earthy cherry and a marine , iodine like note , sous bois underneath . Quite elegant and well balanced acidity with fine tannic grip . Good red fruit , earthy tinged finish . This is showing more advanced than the 2001 Reserva , and would like to try another bottle of this , as I suspect this half is a bit below par. On the basis of this bottle drink now and over the next 5 or so years . — a day ago

Tom, Shay and 2 others liked this

Marqués de Murrieta

Castillo Ygay Gran Reserva Especial Rioja Tempranillo Blend 2017

Exceptional interpretation of Ribera del Duero — 20 days ago

Ted, Bob and 2 others liked this