Spanish Red Wines

The two most famous Spanish red regions are Rioja and Ribera del Duero - and in both of these the wines are dominated by Tempranillo.

This is where the character of Spanish reds is founded: strawberry-scented Tempranillo, traditionally aged in American oak barrels, which impart a vanilla sweetness (though increasingly now bodegas are employing more French oak barrels, or a mix).

We try and find interesting reds beyond Rioja, for example listing wines from Toro, Bierzo and Catalonia. What are the other qualities which make Spanish reds interesting and exciting?

First is the heritage of old vines. As in the south of France, Spain retains large plantings of very old vines, especially the red varieties, Tempranillo, Monastrell (Mourvèdre), Garnacha (Grenache) and Carignan. These deliver concentrated, high quality juice - great raw material.

Second, and less well-known to us here, there is an exciting regionalism. One might be aware of the Catalan or Basque spirit of independence, but on wine labels from Galicia and Valencia too one sees words which are not Castilian Spanish. That regionalism is expressed in the preservation and celebration of local grape varieties, many unique to Spain.

Finally, the reds can offer amazing value. Unsurprisingly the domestic wine market has collapsed since 2008, and we encounter many estates very keen to work us, and open to gentle negotiation.

Filter Wines

Wine Type

Red

Style

Grape Variety

Country

Region

Grower

Dietary Requirement

Organic / Biodynamic

Vintage

La Purisima, Filarmonia, Yecla, 2023

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Save £16.20

La Purisima, Filarmonia, Yecla, 2023

MSM stands for Monastrell, Syrah and Merlot, 34% of the former and 33% of the others. Certified...

Style

Light > Full

OriginSpain

RegionYecla

ColourRed

ABV14%

Bottle75cl

CodePUR323

GrapeMonastrell

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Old Hands, Yecla, Joven, 2023

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Save £13.50

Old Hands, Yecla, Joven, 2023

100% Monastrell, this is a really pleasing red wine. No oak, just pure juicy dark fruit in this...

Style

Light > Full

OriginSpain

RegionYecla

ColourRed

ABV14%

Bottle75cl

CodeOLD123

GrapeMonastrell

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Bodegas Borsao, Garnacha, Joven, Campo de Borja, 2022

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Save £11.94

Bodegas Borsao, Garnacha, Joven, Campo de Borja, 2022

Bodegas Borsao is a big co-operative, marketing wines from over 600 growers whose land...

Style

Light > Full

OriginSpain

RegionCampo de Borja

ColourRed

ABV13.5%

Bottle75cl

CodeBOR322

GrapeGrenache

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El Lagar de Isilla, Ribera Del Duero, Roble, 2022

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Save £23.76

El Lagar de Isilla, Ribera Del Duero, Roble, 2022
El Lagar de Isilla, Ribera Del Duero, Roble, 2022

A blend of 92% Tempranillo, 5% Abillo Mayor and 4% Merlot. This offers lots of generous black...

Style

Light > Full

OriginSpain

RegionRibera Del Duero

ColourRed

ABV14.5%

Bottle75cl

CodeLAH122

GrapeTempranillo

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El Lagar de Isilla, Ribera Del Duero, Crianza, 2020

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Save £26.34

El Lagar de Isilla, Ribera Del Duero, Crianza, 2020

90% Tempranillo, 5% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Albillo Mayor from vines up to 70 years old. This...

Style

Light > Full

OriginSpain

RegionRibera Del Duero

ColourRed

ABV14.5%

Bottle75cl

CodeLAH420

GrapeTempranillo, Cabernet Sauvignon & Abillo Mayor

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Vega del Rayo, Rioja, Vendimia Seleccionada, 2021

A blend of about 95% Tempranillo and 5% Mazuelo, a cheerful, oaked (American and Russian)...

Style

Light > Full

OriginSpain

RegionRioja

ColourRed

ABV13.5%

Bottle75cl

CodeVEG221

GrapeTempranillo

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Segares, Rioja Tempranillo, 2024

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Save £15.54

Segares, Rioja Tempranillo, 2024

Light Medium Bodied

Segares, Rioja Tempranillo, 2024

An unoaked example of the joven style from 30+ year old Tempranillo vines grown on a plateau at...

Style

Light > Full

OriginSpain

RegionRioja

ColourRed

ABV13.5%

Bottle75cl

CodeNES124

GrapeTempranillo

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Segares, Rioja Crianza, 2016

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Save £18.90

Segares, Rioja Crianza, 2016

Excellent pure Tempranillo Rioja, all cooked strawberries and spice, attractively mellow and...

Style

Light > Full

OriginSpain

RegionRioja

ColourRed

ABV13.50%

Bottle75cl

CodeNES316

GrapeTempranillo

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Segares, Rioja Reserva, 2010

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Save £26.34

Segares, Rioja Reserva, 2010

The Reserva goes into 40% new French barrels, 60% in older American oak. It's wonderful to...

Style

Light > Full

OriginSpain

RegionRioja

ColourRed

ABV14%

Bottle75cl

CodeNES410

GrapeTempranillo

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Bajel Pirata, Monastrell, Alicante, 2023

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Save £11.40

Bajel Pirata, Monastrell, Alicante, 2023

We have been selling this for a few years and we don’t think we have given it enough credit....

Style

Light > Full

OriginSpain

RegionAlicante

ColourRed

ABV13%

Bottle75cl

CodePIR123

GrapeMonastrell

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