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New Parker scores for Rioja wines

15/11/2020 Production area

Luis Gutiérrez, a well-known taster for the Wine Advocate magazine, has come back to the DOCa. Rioja and has things to say about the region’s wines and producers. Most importantly, though, he has painted us a picture of the current scene in this prestigious wine region and written a full report, which is available online to subscribers of the well-known Robert Parker publication.

DO Rioja

There is nobody better than Luis Gutiérrez, a great expert in the Spanish wine scene, to give us a detailed insight of a region famous around the world for its great wines. Their red wines and very classic wines are mainly made with the local flagship variety, the Tempranillo grape, and are famous around the world for good reason. However, it looks like the way of working and the style in Rioja is slowly changing. What will the next vintages be like?

The vision of a brand or a more ‘vigneron’ approach?

For some time, Gutiérrez has been talking about a paradigm shift that is slowly unfolding. Is it possible that the Rioja style is being transformed from a brand vision towards a small producer approach that wants to set itself apart from the large producers?

Luis Gutiérrez is here to tell us about some great new discoveries, wines with their own personality, of limited production and made with grapes from small and unique vineyards. These are almost artisan vinifications. And he will also look at some “old friends.” These are producers who have rightfully held onto their good reputation and have also produced some of their best wines.

The Garnacha grape, once rejected, now much-loved

Luis Gutiérrez confirms that the Garnacha variety has come to Rioja to stay. This grape was hated for a long time in the area, and was even considered cursed because of how difficult it was to make wine with. But it has now made an elegant comeback thanks to the success of wines made using this variety along with others in different Spanish wine regions like Priorat and Gredos. In Rioja, this grape now reveals its freshest and most delicate side in a new generation of wines. 

It is worth taking a look at this interesting report by Luis Gutiérrez, because it gives an understanding of how wines are tasted and classified and when this interesting qualified denomination of origin was founded as well as a forecast of what the next few years might look like in Rioja.

But, let’s leave the technical details and move on to the practical. Here are 5 recommendations of Rioja wines that pleasantly surprised the Wine Advocate magazine critic and that we think you should try.

5 Parker-rated Rioja wines worth trying

1.- Quiñón de Valmira

quiñon de valmira

Álvaro Palacios has powered a resurgence of the Rioja Garnacha in style. Quiñón de Valmira is a red wine that is here to break with the traditional approach of classic Rioja wines and showcase Garnacha, a grape that is deeply rooted in the area. This red wine is made to prove that not only is this variety in fashion, but it is able to reveal the Rioja essence in a subtle, fresh and elegant way. If you have the chance, this is a wine you cannot miss!

2.- Abel Mendoza Tempranillo Grano a Grano

aberl mendoza

Abel Mendoza shows us why the Tempranillo grape continues to be the queen of Rioja. This variety is able to reflect the characteristics of its homeland and the way it is vinified. Abel Mendoza Tempranillo Grano a Grano is made from Tempranillo grapes that come from San Vicente de la Sonsierra, in Rioja Alta, which are selected berry by berry and produce an elegant and sought-after red wine. 

3.- Monopole Clásico

monopole clasico

Monopole is a white wine that has been made since 1915, by the oldest wine brand in Spain, CVNE, and it shows us that Rioja is not just about red wine. Monopole Clásico is a wonderful exception. It is made mainly with the Viura variety and is aged on its lees for 8 months in different sized used barrels. What makes Monopole Clásico unique is the addition of a small amount of Manzanilla, a fortified wine that develops under a yeast cap. In short, this wine preserves the qualities of the variety and has a unique touch of the white wines of yesteryear.

4.- Artuke

artuke

Young red wines made with carbonic maceration, a traditional production method that is deeply rooted in Rioja, these are an accessible and versatile way of getting to know this great wine region. We recommend trying Artuke 2019, a wine described by Luis Gutiérrez as accessible and affordable (worth more than it costs), and a clear example of the 2019 vintage. It offers intense aromas of black raspberry and liquorice and a smooth and balanced mid-palate. What more could you want?

5.- Lindes de Remelluri Viñedos de Labastida

remelluri

This red wine from the Remelluri winery is made from grapes that come from different selected plots in Labastida, in La Rioja Alavesa, and offers us a faithful reflection of the Rioja character with a signature touch from winemaker Telmo Rodríguez, which in this case is expressed through a fresh and well-balanced wine that is velvety on the palate, with contained maturity and well-integrated alcohol.

If five wines doesn’t seem like much, why not take a look at our full selection of Rioja wines rated by Robert Parker. Varieties and styles you are bound to love.

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