A remarkable wine, from vines around fifty years old at around 650 metres: no surprise that this won no less than three trophies at last year’s International Wine Challenge: that for Rioja Alavesa; the Tempranillo Trophy; and that for top Spanish red. 16 months in only French new barrels.

Product Code: LAR505

Such a seductive attack of liqueur strawberries, framed by black chocolate notes: this is crafted in a more modern, international style, than the Rioja Reserva above. “Cedar and leather with red cherries and ripe jammy fruit underneath. Fine but expressive tannins on the palate with fresh acidity. Big, ripe and lush on the finish with a lot of potential”, International Wine Challenge 2010. Now-2015

Winemaker José Antonio Meruelo crafts one white Rioja and a range of reds, the latter all from 100% Tempranillo. Here the grapes are largely bought in fromm contracted growers nearby, with vines at about 600 metres, and the altitude brings real freshness to the wines. These are traditionally styled Riojas - but without any of the old-fashioned vices of overlong ageing in tired wood. The three top wines are all from 2005, a great vintage in Rioja, rightly classified by the authorities as “exceptional” . We don’t normally ship so many wines from one winery, but thought all these merited listing. This is a great find.