Red wine
White wine
Rosé wine
Sweet wine
Orange wine
Champagne
Cava
Prosecco
Lambrusco
Crémant
Moscato d'Asti
Franciacorta
Pet-Nat
Corpinnat
Other sparkling wines
Wine gift boxes
Boxed wines
Boxed sparkling wines
Wine bottles and glasses
Gift card
Non alcoholic Wine
Non alcoholic Sparkling wine
Aromas
Wine conservation
Decanters and aerators
Bottle identifiers
Corkscrews
Service
Glass identifiers
Cleaners
Accessories set
Wine glasses
Contact
New 2018 Parker ratings for Rioja
Here we have the new Parker ratings for wines from Rioja, one of the most important Spanish wine regions.
At a first glance, it is worth mentioning the high scores achieved by wines produced on specific farms. Luís Gutiérrez wanted to showcase, in the form of points, the new change of direction of several wine producers in Rioja. A clear example of this is the score of 100 points given to Las Beatas 2015 by Telmo Rodríguez in the fifth year of the production. In this category, we have to mention the 98 points given to Artadi Viña El Pisón 2015 or the new ‘gran pago’ by Álvaro Palacios in Alfaro; Quiñón de Valmira 2015 with 97 points or Pozo Alto de Olivier Riviere, with 96.
Speaking of vintages, according to the wines tasted by Luis from 2014 to 2017, 2015 stands out as one of the most balanced vintages; the harvest took place early and had an excellent quality. As for the 2014 harvest, it was a somewhat mild vintage, but better than the 2013 one. However, although many describe 2016 as one of the best in the last few years, Luis thinks it has had several ups and downs, since production was quite abundant. This will depend on each producer.
At the level of Denomination, and like professional colleagues like Tim Atkin, he sees a change of trend with the variations that are taking place within the D.O. From the creation of a new segment of sparkling wines in the D.O., to the most important thing, promoting ‘vinos de pueblo’ and ‘vinos de paraje’, as we mentioned in our previous post about zoning. What Luis criticizes is the way in which they are implementing the system. Instead of creating it from the base of the quality pyramid, from where he thinks the problems of the D.O. come from due to their low prices, they are trying to better delimit the ‘vinos de finca’. Luis thinks the problem does not lie with these wines, since they are well positioned. This new classification and labeling will be effective from the 2017 vintage.
New projects have increased in the region. Rioja And Roll, a young collective that is positioned with very interesting projects within the distinguished names of La Rioja. Within their company they have great winemakers like Olivier Riviere, Alegre Valgañón, Bárbara Palacios, Artuke and Exopto. Other new wineries, like Honoro Rubio or Vinos en Voz Baja, are also key to this new resurgence.
Luis Gutiérrez also highlights the diversity of the existing wines. Shortly, a new rosé wine, Rosado de Tondonia 2008, will be launched on the market. This wine is quite unusual, with its long ageing in barrels for 10 years. Or the new ‘vino de finca’ by Telmo Rodríguez, Tabuérniga, which looks quite promising. Also, with vintage blends, like the vintages of Honorio Rubio Añadas.
With these two factors, Luis is delighted to see the enormous potential of the region, both with new winemakers and with the different products.
White wines continue to grow within the region. There is an increasing cultivation of native varieties such as Tempranillo Blanco and Maturana Blanca, this last one being Luis’ favourite because of its aromatic side (similar to the Godello) and its good acidity in the mouth.
As for varieties, he sees an enormous potential in the Graciano. There are more and more single-variety wines of this grape that is so difficult to tame. One of those he highlights is Abel Mendoza Grano a grano Graciano 2014.
The Grenache continues to gain ground, especially in the area with a more Mediterranean climate of the lower Ebro area, where Alfaro is located. In the coldest part of Haro there are also very interesting cases like Pancrudo 2015 by Gómez Cruzado, with 95 points, or Peña el Gato Garnacha 2015 by Juan Carlos Sacha.
However, the name that stands out the most is Álvaro Palacios in Monte Yerga. Since he returned to the family winery, he has not stopped advocating for this variety and nowadays, most wines are made with this variety. Worth highlighting are the 94 points achieved by Propiedad 2015 or their ‘gran parcela’ Quiñón de Valmira, with the highest scores of the region.
As for Artadi and his withdrawal from the Denomination, this fact has not affected them. They keep working and selling as they have always done. This year they have increased the number of plots that they destine to wine: La Laguna, Quintanilla San Martín and Santa Cecilia are the new wines of the winery.
