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Jancis Robinson (18)
95% Syrah, 5% Viognier, vineyards at 950 m above sea level. Aged for 12 months in a mixture of 650- and 500-litre used French oak. Spectacular and intense dark fruit on the nose! Blackcurrant, blackberries, cassis, violets, smoke and minerality. On the palate, it is rich and deep but not massive. It has mouth-watering acidity, ripe tannins, and elegant oak integration. I find this vintage more balanced than previous ones. The wine has precise fruit expression. 2018 has been the greatest year for this wine. (FC)د.إ638.00 -
The Emilio Moro Malleolus 2018's complexity and elegance is a testament to Emilio Moro's 120 years of winemaking experience. This fine Ribera del Duero, Spain wine utilises Tinta del País grapes, with clusters sourced entirely from 50-year-old vines across their choicest plots. The deep, ruby-red Malleolus 2018 undergoes 18 months of aging in French oak barrels, revealing notes of black fruit, violet, and licorice melding with chocolate and spice undertones, embodying unadulterated power with exquisite finesse. These elements converge to provide an extraordinarily long, stunning finish on the palate. Emilio Moro meticulously vintages the Malleolus 2018 using traditional and innovative techniques, unfailingly retaining the phenotype and identity of their home soil. A majestic embodiment of the quintessence of Ribera del Duero, the Emilio Moro Malleolus 2018 provides an unrivalled wine tasting experience for discerning oenophiles.
د.إ1,080.00 -
Wine Advocate (94+)
2020 was a great vintage in the Mediterranean, and the 2020 Albahra, a blend of 70% Garnacha Tintorera from the zone of Almansa and 30% Moravia Agria from Manchuela, showed better than ever. The two grapes fermented separately with part of full clusters in concrete and with indigenous yeasts. The Garnacha matured in concrete and the Moravia in neutral 228-liter barrels for eight months. It has 13% alcohol and good freshness, a fine thread and round tannins. It's juicy and supple—the harvest was easy with great weather, very different from 2019— and the acidity of the Moravia is more polished. The wine has a bright ruby color and is aromatic and clean, precise and attractive. It's medium-bodied and silky with very round tannins. They compare it with 2017. This is one of the most incredible bargains from Spain. Drink or hold. 59,000 bottles and 750 magnums produced. It was bottled in July 2021.د.إ981.00 -
James Suckling (98)
Nervy, nicely funky, precise and mineral nose with a “protective” flintiness and an alluring peppery edge to the wild berries and pomegranate. Fine, dissolved tannins with a mealy, dusty texture, tapping into a super tangy, fresh palate full of grapefruit zest and wild berries. Really long and irresistible now, but can age.د.إ1,010.00 -
(6x75cl) 2019د.إ628.00 -
(3x75cl) 2015Wine Advocate (96)
The 2015 Clos Santuy is produced with the grapes from an ungrafted, head-pruned 1.12-hectare vineyard in the village of Piquera de San Esteban in the province of Soria, just outside the limits of Ribera del Duero, so it’s sold as Vino de la Tierra de Castilla y León. The vineyard is planted at some 968 meters in altitude on shallow sandstone soils and is enclosed by a dry stonewall. Bougnaud has been working and vinifying this plot separately since 2010 and noticed its personality and aging potential, but this 2015 is the first vintage to be released. This is a textbook elegant and fresh Ribera from the cooler part; it’s ripe and powerful but really in balance and includes some 10% of white Albillo grapes that surely add to the silky texture and the fresh sensation on the palate. What a portfolio Galia showed in 2015, and this jewel of the crown filled some 1,073 bottles in September 2017. Bravo!د.إ929.00 -
Wine Advocate (96)
The nose of the 2016 Clos Santuy was a little more discrete and reticent than the 2016 Villages. This comes from a 1.2-hectare plot of ungrafted vines in the village of Piquera de San Esteban that somehow was left out of the Ribera del Duero appellation. There is a sense of harmony and depth unlike that of the Villages, which felt more open and immediate. The palate is pure rock, austere and chalky, with a sense of minerality that was striking. It's approximately 80% Tempranillo and 20% Albillo fermented together with 20% full clusters and indigenous yeasts and matured in one 225-liter barrel and one 600-liter demi-muid for 22 months. 1,095 bottles were filled in September 2018.د.إ981.00 -
Wine Advocate (95)
The nose of the 2016 Villages was stunning. It's a blend of Tempranillo with 9% Garnacha and 4% white Albillo from vineyards in Piquera de San Esteban, Fuentelcésped, Hontangas, Cuevas de Provanco, Quintanilla de Onésimo and Trigueros del Valle. It fermented by soil types with indigenous yeasts and some 20% full clusters (the Garnacha was 100% whole clusters) and matured in a mixture of 225-liter barriques, 600-liter demi-muids and 1,200-liter foudres for 21 months. The élevage was very respectful with the wine, which comes through as floral and terribly aromatic, ripe without excess and with a medium to full-bodied palate, pungent flavors and great length and persistence. The tannins are round and velvety, and there is a sense of integration and balance that I liked very much. 16,140 bottles and 230 magnums were filled in July 2018.د.إ1,440.00 -
Tim Atkin MW (98)
It’s easy to forget that the first vintage of Garmón was as recent as 2014 such is the quality of the wine, but the García family’s longstanding association with the region has certainly contributed to its success Picked 10 days later than the 2017 this is my favourite release yet, combining vineyards aged between 30 and 100 years in Anguix, Baños de Valdearados, Moradillo and Tubilla. Chalky, balanced and effortlessly refined, with notes of red berries, fennel and spice, subtle oak and thrilling freshness. A truly great Ribera.د.إ908.00 -
Tim Atkin MW (97)
Eduardo García used fruit from six different villages – Anguix, Baños de Valdearados. La Aguilera, Moradillo, Quintanilla de Onésimo and Tubilla del Lago – to produce the latest vintage of this world-class red, blending their characters as an artist might mix a palette of colours. Spicy, chalky, structured yet refined, with haunting perfume, subtle oak, enviable density, energy and poise and the concentration to age.د.إ761.00 -
The top shelf expression of Hacienda Monasterio, the Reserva Especial is not produced every year and could be the equivalent of a Gran Reserva. It is typically a Temperanillo-dominated blend complemented with Cabernet Sauvignon. Quantities may vary but for the 2015 vintage, only 4,000 bottles were produced. Although sitting in bottle for years now, the estate doesn’t allow anyone to taste the wine until it's actually released, which is usually a few months later in the calendar year than its younger siblings.د.إ2,580.00 -
Jancis Robinson (19)
Pale amber, with touches of orange and brown. Mahogany wood-polish lift to cooked orange peel, hazelnut fudge, cinnamon spice, hard cheese and chocolate. Intense, powerful palate entry, with spice, toasted hazelnut and some richness of cooked citrus. Such intensity will be hard for some, but this is an exceptional wine with exceptional length.د.إ1,720.00 -
James Suckling (94)
Fresh blueberries, flowers, white pepper, grapefruit and a hint of wet stone. Stemmy undertone. Soft-spoken and elegant on the palate with a medium body and firm, fine-grained tannins. Fluid, long and expressive. Drink now or hold.د.إ676.00 -
Tim Atkin MW (98)
The superlative 2010 release is the first 890 Gran Reserva since 2005, and it was definitely worth the wait. Partnering Tempranillo with 3% Graciano and 2% Mazuelo, it has a wonderful combination of structure, sweetness and focus. Aromatic spices, red berry fruit and top notes of tobacco and fresh leather are underpinned by age-worthy tannins and refreshing acidity. One to keep.د.إ3,990.00 -
James Suckling (96)
Lovely dried red fruit, such as plums with just a hint of prunes. Cedar, walnut and leather undertones. Full-bodied with lots of fruit, considering its age, as well as hints of smoke, tobacco, bark and black tea. Some balsamic at the finish. Traditionally styled with lovely results. Drink or hold.د.إ1,220.00 -
James Suckling (97)
A perfumed nose of plums, mulberries, mushrooms, caramel, sweet tobacco and sweet spices. Full-bodied with velvety, fine tannins and lively acidity. Balanced and supple with a creamy texture. Delicate and precise with a long, polished finish. 90% tempranillo and 10% graciano. Drink or hold.د.إ1,750.00 -
Vinous (93)
Dark ruby. A deeply perfumed bouquet evokes spice-tinged dark fruit preserves, potpourri, vanilla and incense, and a smoky mineral overtone builds as the wine opens up. Sappy and broad on the palate, offering weighty blackberry, cherry-vanilla and spicecake flavors that turn spicier with air. Shows excellent precision on the persistent finish, which features sweet dark fruit liqueur and floral elements and harmonious tannins.د.إ1,210.00 -
Tim Atkin MW (94)
La Rioja Alta is one of the most traditional wineries in Haro’s Barrio de la Estación, famous for producing wines that are good to drink on release, but also age beautifully in bottle. This new Gran Reserva, made from Tempranillo with 6% Graciano for added backbone, is very much a reflection of the cooler, more “Atlantic” 2014 vintage. La Rioja Alta didn’t make its top two Gran Reservas – 904 and 890 – in 2014, so all of its best grapes were used for Viña Arana. Fine and elegant, with vibrant acidity, notes of coconut and cinnamon from the American oak and a core of savoury, refreshing tobacco leaf and red berry flavours framed by fine, caressing tannins. Old-fashioned Rioja at its glorious best.د.إ873.00 -
Decanter (96)
Beautiful nose coconut cream, vanilla and mocha nose. Smooth and mellow on the rich and velvety palate with lots of sweet spices, dates and chocolate-covered currants. Long-lasting and utterly delicious.د.إ963.00 -
Vinous (94)
Deep magenta. An intensely perfumed bouquet evokes ripe black raspberry, cherry cola, potpourri, tobacco and exotic spices, plus a smoky mineral flourish. Sweet and broad in the mouth, offering lush red and blue fruit, spicecake, mocha and coconut flavors that firm up on the back half. Finishes extremely long and spicy, with resonating florality, gently chewy tannins and lingering oak spice notes.د.إ1,260.00 -
James Suckling (95)
Savory and complex with dried orange peel, cedar and plenty of sweet spices, walnuts, caramel, dried mushrooms and pine needles. Shows maturity here, with a medium body and superb freshness. Incredibly long finish with lots of truffle and walnut. Lasts over a minute. Very complete now, but you can still hold it.د.إ550.00 -
Wine Advocate (94)
No 2018 was produced, so after the 2017 I tasted last year, we jumped to the 2019 Viña Ardanza Reserva, produced with a blend of 80% Tempranillo and 20% Garnacha. It fermented destemmed in stainless steel and aged in American oak barrels, 36 months for the Tempranillo and 30 months for Garnacha, and was blended before bottling. 2019 is a very good year for them, a small crop of powerful and concentrated wines when they produced all their brands, an exception. This is spicy, structured, balanced and powerful in this warm year, reaching the customary 14.5% alcohol and keeping a pH of 3.54 and 5.5 grams of acidity. It's still very young and undeveloped, with the classical profile, generous in American oak aromas and flavors that should slowly integrate in the wine with years in bottle. For them, 2019 means a change in Ardanza, less spicy (but still quite spicy, with clove, vanilla and tobacco leaves) and with more fresh fruit from the Garnacha. But the year is a modern version of 2015. 500,000 bottles produced. It was bottled in December 2023. No 2023 or 2024 will be produced either.د.إ716.00 -
د.إ1,205.00 -
Wine Advocate (93)
The 2011 Viña Tondonia Blanco Reserva reflects a warm and ripe year, and the wine is more evolved and already hints at some caramel and honey. It has a mellow palate without the vibrancy of the 2010 I tasted next to it. This wine matured in used, ancient American oak barrels for six years. 19,000 bottles were filled in November 2019.د.إ3,410.00 -
Wine Advocate (96)
Following the appreciation of the 2007 vintage from María José López de Heredia, the red 2007 Viña Tondonia Reserva is showing great, revealing unusual finesse and elegance. The nose is a little reticent but nuanced and complex, a little shy rather than explosive. The palate is medium-bodied, and the tannins are very refined. This has to be one of the finest vintages of Viña Tondonia Reserva of recent years. 200,000 bottles produced. It was bottled in November 2015.د.إ920.00 -
Tim Atkin MW (97)
Tondonia's reds have been on an upward curve recently and are now at the same level as the bodega's world-class whites. This is a fine, elegant, savoury, low-alcohol blend of Tempranillo with 20% Garnacha and 5% each of Mazuelo and Graciano, combining summer berry fruit, racy acidity, granular tannins and an earthy, balsamic undertone. Good now, but this will develop further in bottle.د.إ883.00 -
Tim Atkin MW (94)
Serious and concentrated, at least by the standards of some López de Heredia reds, this reflects the heat of the 2009 vintage. Tempranillo-based with 30% Garnacha, Graciano and Mazuelo, it’s spicy, savoury and high toned with grippy tannins, layers of tobacco and red fruits and classic, supporting acidity. 2021-30د.إ819.00 -
Wine Advocate (96)
The 2010 Viña Tondonia Reserva has all I expect from a Reserva from Tondonia, complexity, elegance and evolution, a developed nose with notes of forest floor and wild berries, herbs and flowers, a touch of iodine, brick dust and very fine, polished tannins. It has the seriousness and elegance of Tondonia. This is a blend of 70% Tempranillo, 20% Garnacho (they use the masculine form of the name of the grape) and 5% each Graciano and Mazuelo that fermented in the ancient oak vats from when the winery was created 144 years ago and matured in well-seasoned, American oak barrels for six years. It has 13% alcohol, a pH of 3.4 and 6.6 grams of acidity. 260,000 bottles produced. It was bottled in May 2017.د.إ877.00 -
James Suckling (95)
A traditional beauty that effuses iron, warm earth and savory tobacco leaves, together with plums, spices and orange zest. This is juicy and still tight, with firm but savory tannins. Medium-weight and quite zesty in texture, as is the case with the other López de Heredia reds tasted this session. Drink now or hold.د.إ863.00 -
Tim Atkin MW (95)
Viña Tondonia can seem austere in its (comparative) youth, especially when compared with sweeter Bosconia, but this is a wine that will reward patience. Picked earlier to assuage the effects of a warmer site, this blend of Tempranillo, 20% Garnacha and 5% each of Graciano and Mazuelo is structured and focused, with redcurrant, forest floor and green herb notes. Give it time.د.إ898.00
While Rioja is still the region that springs to mind for most consumers when thinking about Spain, wines from other regions are slowly yet assertively making themselves known. There are the dark, arresting wines of Priorat, the crisp, apply whites made from the Godello grape, the often almost Burgundian Ruedas, the ‘cult’ wines like Vega Sicilia… not just rustic, oxidative wines any longer, but rather intriguing and individual vinous experiences.
