Enjoy Rioja This Easter
The great red wines of Rioja represent a true intersection of old and new in European winemaking. From staunch conservatives to innovative firebrands, the region is home to winemakers from across the spectrum. Broadly speaking, more modern styles tend to lean towards the intense and concentrated, while traditionalists more often favour long ageing in old oak for a more delicate savoury flavour profile.
Newcomers to Rioja can be guided by the three levels of barrel ageing that many wines are categorised in - Crianza, aged for one year in oak and another year in bottle; Reserva, aged for three years with at least one in barrel; and Gran Reserva, only produced in the best years and matured for five years before release.
The Iberian classic slow-roasted lamb is a fantastic match with fine Rioja which means it takes pride of place at many dining tables over the Easter holiday. We've picked a few favourites from our range, but please click here to see the full selection.
This is old-school Rioja but so unbelievably well executed it is hard not to love. With classical notes of blackberry, raspberry and orange zest, the fruit subsides to reveal wonderful savoury nuances of cigar box, liquorice, dark chocolate and subtly toasty oak.
Rich, smooth and silky, yet with excellent natural freshness and elegance
Produced only in the finest vintages, the iconic Castillo Ygay Gran Reserva Especial is the winery's flagship wine and is made with fruit sourced from the La Plana vineyard which was planted in 1950. The 1989 is a gorgeous iteration with notes of sweet black fruits, vanilla, woodsmoke, cigar box, violets and crushed stones.
Medium-bodied, plush and silky smooth, this is mature Rioja at its absolute finest
A delicate, complex Rioja from Alvaro Palacios. Wild herbs, crunchy red fruit and dried flowers mingle on the nose while the palate is medium with fine tannins and refreshing acidity. A wonderfully elegant single vineyard red from one of Spain's greatest living winemakers. Rated 97 points by Robert Parker.
Deep, captivating, fragrant, precise and chiseled - harmonious and complex
Fresh red cherry and raspberry fruit jump out on the nose along with a subtle spice and a touch of earthy vanilla. Complex and intense, this is a wine offering huge pleasure in the glass at an amazing price. One of the region's most traditional producers and one of its most highly regarded.
Mouthwatering and concentrated, but with refreshing acidity and poise
Miguel Angel de Gregorio, the proprietor of Finca Allende, grew up in Rioja and was heavily influenced by his father, who was the head viticulturist at the Ygay estate of Marques de Murrieta. The 2009 Aurus is a Tempranillo-dominant blend with gorgeous aromas of crème de cassis, black raspberry, violets, exotic spices and tobacco.
Voluptuous and full-bodied, wonderfully silky with superb finesse
Intense black fruit, dried flowers, ripe plum and vanilla notes mingle on the nose while the palate offers a beautiful mix of toasted spice, minerality, soft balsamic and a hint of pencil lead. The finish is harmonious and evolving. This wine was awarded a perfect 100-point score by The Wine Advocate.
Intense and concentrated, a superb mature wine from a blockbuster vintage
Viñedos Contino is widely considered one of the key producers of the Rioja wine revolution and has energetically championed the ‘château’ concept in the region whereby wines are made from a single estate. Viña del Olivo is their flagship wine and is a superb example of modern Rioja that combines lush fruit, abundant freshness, delightful purity and seamlessly integrated oak.