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
Style
Grape Variety
Country
Region
Grower
Dietary Requirement
Organic / Biodynamic
Vintage
Buy 12
Save £33.54
From parcels of old vines (70-80 years old) around the village of Mantanza de Soria this is 95%...
OriginSpain
RegionRibera del Duero
ColourRed
ABV14.5%
Bottle75cl
CodeLAH619
GrapeTempranillo & Albillo Mayor
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Save £15.00
La Purisima, Filarmonia, Yecla, 2022
Medium-bodied
MSM stands for Monastrell, Syrah and Merlot, 34% of the former and 33% of the others. Certified...
OriginSpain
RegionYecla
ColourRed
ABV14%
Bottle75cl
CodePUR322
GrapeMonastrell
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Save £13.50
Old Hands, Yecla, Joven, 2022
Medium-bodied
100% Monastrell, this is a really pleasing red wine. No oak, just pure juicy dark fruit in this...
OriginSpain
RegionYecla
ColourRed
ABV14%
Bottle75cl
CodeOLD122
GrapeMonastrell
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Save £12.60
La Purisima, Syrah, Yecla, 2021
Medium-bodied
From vines on the Yecla plateau in Murcia at 500- 900m, a simple but smartly dressed bottle....
OriginSpain
RegionYecla
ColourRed
ABV13.5%
Bottle75cl
CodePUR421
GrapeSyrah
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Save £10.74
Bodegas Borsao, Garnacha, Joven, Campo de Borja, 2022
Medium Bodied
Bodegas Borsao is a big co-operative, marketing wines from over 600 growers whose land...
OriginSpain
RegionCampo de Borja
ColourRed
ABV13.5%
Bottle75cl
CodeBOR322
GrapeGrenache
El Lagar de Isilla, Ribera Del Duero, Roble, 2022
Medium Bodied
A blend of 92% Tempranillo, 5% Abillo Mayor and 4% Merlot. This offers lots of generous black...
OriginSpain
RegionRibera Del Duero
ColourRed
ABV14.5%
Bottle75cl
CodeLAH122
GrapeTempranillo
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Save £31.80
100% Tempranillo, including some parcels 80-90 years old; in French barrels for 18 months....
OriginSpain
RegionRibera Del Duero
ColourRed
ABV15%
Bottle 75cl
CodeLAH317
GrapeTempranillo
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Save £25.14
90% Tempranillo, 5% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Albillo Mayor from vines up to 70 years old. This...
OriginSpain
RegionRibera Del Duero
ColourRed
ABV14.5%
Bottle75cl
CodeLAH420
GrapeTempranillo, Cabernet Sauvignon & Abillo Mayor
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Save £11.94
Vega del Rayo, Rioja, Vendimia Seleccionada, 2020
Medium Bodied
A blend of about 95% Tempranillo and 5% Mazuelo, a cheerful, oaked (American and Russian)...
OriginSpain
RegionRioja
ColourRed
ABV13.5%
Bottle75cl
CodeVEG220
GrapeTempranillo
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Save £13.80
Segares, Rioja Tempranillo, 2023
Light Medium Bodied
An unoaked example of the joven style from 30+ year old Tempranillo vines grown on a plateau at...
OriginSpain
RegionRioja
ColourRed
ABV13%
Bottle75cl
CodeNES123
GrapeTempranillo
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Save £17.94
Segares, Rioja Crianza, 2016
Medium Bodied
Excellent pure Tempranillo Rioja, all cooked strawberries and spice, attractively mellow and...
OriginSpain
RegionRioja
ColourRed
ABV13.50%
Bottle75cl
CodeNES316
GrapeTempranillo
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Save £25.14
Segares, Rioja Reserva, 2010
Full Bodied
The Reserva goes into 40% new French barrels, 60% in older American oak. It's wonderful to...
OriginSpain
RegionRioja
ColourRed
ABV14%
Bottle75cl
CodeNES410
GrapeTempranillo
