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.
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El Lagar de Isilla, Ribera Del Duero, Roble, 2018
Medium Bodied
A best-seller here, 95% Tempranillo with 5% Cabernet Sauvignon, given precisely 122 days (it...
OriginSpain
RegionRibera Del Duero
ColourRed
ABV14%
Bottle75cl
CodeLAH118
GrapeTempranillo
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100% Tempranillo, including some parcels 80-90 years old; in French barrels for 18 months....
OriginSpain
RegionRibera Del Duero
ColourRed
ABV15%
Bottle75cl
CodeLAH314
GrapeTempranillo
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92% Tempranillo from 50-70 year old vines, with Cabernet and Merlot, given fourteen months in...
OriginSpain
RegionRibera Del Duero
ColourRed
ABV15%
Bottle75cl
CodeLAH416
GrapeTempranillo
Vega del Rayo, Rioja, Vendimia Seleccionada, 2017
Medium Bodied
A blend of about 95% Tempranillo and 5% Mazuelo, a cheerful, oaked (American and Russian)...
OriginSpain
RegionRioja
ColourRed
ABV13%
Bottle75cl
CodeVEG217
GrapeTempranillo
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Segares, Rioja Tempranillo, 2018
Light Medium Bodied
Situated in Rioja Media, the vineyards lie on a plateau at 520-650 metres between the Ocón and...
OriginSpain
RegionRioja
ColourRed
ABV13.5%
Bottle75cl
CodeNES118
GrapeTempranillo
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Segares, Rioja Crianza, 2012
Medium Bodied
Excellent pure Tempranillo Rioja, all cooked strawberries and spice, attractively mellow and...
OriginSpain
RegionRioja
ColourRed
ABV13.5%
Bottle75cl
CodeNES312
GrapeTempranillo
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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
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Tierra Fuerte, Graciano, Méntrida, 2015
Full Bodied
Graciano is a high quality grape - described in Jancis Robinson's monumental Wine Grapes...
OriginSpain
RegionMentrida
ColourRed
ABV14%
Bottle75cl
CodeTIE115
GrapeGraciano
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Bajel Pirata, Monastrell, Alicante, 2019
Medium Bodied
A simple, smooth, easy-drinking quaffer, strawberry-fruited, with a little substance and a hint...
OriginSpain
RegionAlicante
ColourRed
ABV12%
Bottle75cl
CodePIR119
GrapeMonastrell
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This unoaked, organic red is so bright, juicy and winning, strawberry flavoured but not in...
OriginSpain
RegionJumilla
ColourRed
ABV14%
Bottle75cl
CodeLUZ118
GrapeMonastrell
Finca La Solana, Monastrell, Seleccion Especial, 2018
Medium Bodied
Monastrell given about four months in old barrels, mainly American, giving distinctively...
OriginSpain
RegionJumilla
ColourRed
ABV14%
Bottle75cl
CodeLUZ317
GrapeMonastrell
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Finca Tobella, Negre, Priorat, 2018
Full Bodied
Very deeply coloured, inky; overtly flavoured by the barrels, with expensive, clean, cedary...
OriginSpain
RegionPriorat
ColourRed
ABV14.5%
Bottle75cl
CodeTOB118
GrapeSyrah, Cabernet Sauvignon & Grenache
