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.

El Lagar de Isilla, Ribera Del Duero, Mantanza de Soria, 2019

Buy 12
Save £33.54

Jancis Robinson
El Lagar de Isilla, Ribera Del Duero, Mantanza de Soria, 2019

From parcels of old vines (70-80 years old) around the village of Mantanza de Soria this is 95%...

Style

Light > Full

OriginSpain

RegionRibera del Duero

ColourRed

ABV14.5%

Bottle75cl

CodeLAH619

GrapeTempranillo & Albillo Mayor

Discover More
Peique, Mencia, Bierzo, 2021

Buy 12
Save £15.00

Peique, Mencia, Bierzo, 2021

Of the 40 hectares of this family run estate 98% is dedicated to the Mencia grape. This shows...

Style

Light > Full

OriginSpain

RegionBierzo

ColourRed

ABV13.5%

Bottle75cl

CodePEI221

GrapeMencia

Discover More
Finca Tobella, Negre, Priorat, 2020

Buy 12
Save £21.00

Finca Tobella, Negre, Priorat, 2020

From a recently founded estate in Priorat in Catalonia, a great Spanish terroir, on steep...

Style

Light > Full

OriginSpain

RegionPriorat

ColourRed

ABV14.5%

Bottle75cl

CodeTOB120

GrapeCarignan, Cabernet Sauvignon & Grenache

Discover More
La Purisima, Filarmonia, Yecla, 2021

Buy 12
Save £7.50

La Purisima, Filarmonia, Yecla, 2021

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

CodePUR321

GrapeMonastrell

Discover More
La Purisima, Monastrell, Yecla, 2020

From vines on the Yecla plateau in Murcia at 500-900m, a simple but smartly dressed bottle....

Style

Light > Full

OriginSpain

RegionYecla

ColourRed

ABV14%

Bottle75cl

CodePUR120

GrapeMonastrell

Discover More
Old Hands, Yecla, Joven, 2022

Buy 12
Save £13.50

Old Hands, Yecla, Joven, 2022

100% Monastrell. Organic. Now-2026. Tasting note to follow.

Style

Light > Full

OriginSpain

RegionYecla

ColourRed

ABV14%

Bottle75cl

CodeOLD122

GrapeMonastrell

Discover More
La Purisima, Syrah, Yecla, 2021

Buy 12
Save £6.30

La Purisima, Syrah, Yecla, 2021

From vines on the Yecla plateau in Murcia at 500- 900m, a simple but smartly dressed bottle....

Style

Light > Full

OriginSpain

RegionYecla

ColourRed

ABV13.5%

Bottle75cl

CodePUR421

GrapeSyrah

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

Buy 12
Save £10.74

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

Discover More
El Lagar de Isilla, Ribera Del Duero, Roble, 2020

Buy 12
Save £17.10

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

A blend of 92% Tempranillo, 5% Abillo Mayor and 3% Cabernet Sauvignon. Classic strawberry and...

Style

Light > Full

OriginSpain

RegionRibera Del Duero

ColourRed

ABV14%

Bottle75cl

CodeLAH120

GrapeTempranillo

Discover More
El Lagar de Isilla, Ribera Del Duero, Reserva, 2017

Buy 12
Save £31.80

El Lagar de Isilla, Ribera Del Duero, Reserva, 2017

100% Tempranillo, including some parcels 80-90 years old; in French barrels for 18 months....

Style

Light > Full

OriginSpain

RegionRibera Del Duero

ColourRed

ABV15%

Bottle 75cl

CodeLAH317

GrapeTempranillo

Discover More
Vega del Rayo, Rioja, Vendimia Seleccionada, 2020

Buy 12
Save £11.94

Vega del Rayo, Rioja, Vendimia Seleccionada, 2020

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

Style

Light > Full

OriginSpain

RegionRioja

ColourRed

ABV13.5%

Bottle75cl

CodeVEG220

GrapeTempranillo

Discover More
Segares, Rioja Tempranillo, 2022

Buy 12
Save £13.80

Segares, Rioja Tempranillo, 2022

Light Medium Bodied

Segares, Rioja Tempranillo, 2022

The latest vintage of this unoaked example of the joven style is from 30+ year old Tempranillo...

Style

Light > Full

OriginSpain

RegionRioja

ColourRed

ABV13%

Bottle75cl

CodeNES122

GrapeTempranillo

Discover More

We use cookies. By using the website you agree with our use of cookies. For more information, please read our privacy policy.

Okay, got it!