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All the medallists from the Rioja Masters 2024
Rioja’s continued success in our Masters series can be attributed to a winning mix of quality, diversity – and sheer value for money. Patrick Schmitt MW reports.
IT SAYS much for the quality of Rioja that this single, if large, wine region should feature such a high proportion of Gold and Master medals this year.
Indeed, relative to other competitions in our Global Wine Masters series, Rioja is a beacon of brilliance when it comes to high-scoring samples, and across the board, rivalled in such impressive results by few, save for Champagne.
But, while the French sparkling wine region has become the source of increasingly expensive bottles, Rioja has remained affordable. And that is one key reason for its sustained success: Rioja’s price-quality relationship is hard to beat.
But it’s not the only reason. As proved by our Masters tasting this year, like previous competitions, Rioja is much loved for the styles of wine it yields. It is one of those rare corners of the wine world where the fruit is fully ripe, but the mouthfeel is neither heavy nor flabby. The combination of fresh acidities and firm tannins give Rioja wines a lively and dry sensation, even if the red berry flavours are sweet. In other words, there is an appealing balance in Rioja. There’s complexity too – a result of old vines, blending across sites, a mix of varieties and the influence of oak, lending Rioja its trademark taste of vanilla, and grippy texture on the finish.
Such traits are fairly consistent with Rioja, so it’s become a trusted source of wines, and at a range of prices. That brings me onto another cause of its popularity: its tiering. With the wines classified from joven to crianza and reserva to gran reserva, consumers have a clear idea of what to expect, as well as an incentive to trade up. The only area of confusion can be the jump from reserva to gran reserva, with the latter type of Rioja often packing less punch than the level beneath, a result of the extended ageing in barrique that’s need to carry the title of gran reserva – an oxidative process that diminishes the flesh and primary flavours of young fruit.
However, that need not mean a step down in quality or appeal, with gran reserva an almost unique style of wine, renowned for its mouthwatering complexity and delicious maturity on release, as well as its ability to age for decades after bottling.
Meanwhile, if you do eschew oak when making Rioja, as can be the case for joven examples, then you can still yield a really enjoyable fruity red, based on the easy appeal of the Tempranillo grape, along with the juiciness of Garnacha and, where used, the structural support of Graciano. Finally, there’s a further explanation for Rioja’s sustained popularity: it’s innovative and, as a result, it’s exciting and diverse. Many of the more ambitious styles can be found in the vinos de autor category, where winemakers tend to experiment, making this the sector of rulebreaking Riojas, often with outstanding results. Similar to Italy’s Super Tuscans, vinos de autor Riojas tend to be more deeply coloured and concentrated than their more traditional, classified relations, but still exhibit the tannin-acid character of the Spanish region.
Of particular interest in this year’s competition is the segment of white Rioja. Here, it seems, change has been greatest, with modern styles and newly authorised white varieties – such as Tempranillo Blanco – reinvigorating a category that had fallen out of fashion. As a result, if I were to name one of the most thrilling sources of fine white wine in the world right now, Rioja would feature – a surprising development if one considers that this region’s fame is so strongly built around its reds.
About the competition
With high-quality judges and a unique sampling process, The Rioja Masters provides a chance for your wines to shine. The 2024 competition was judged on 19 September at Camino Kings Cross in London, employing experienced judges. The top wines were awarded Gold, Silver or Bronze medals according to their result, and those expressions that stood out as being outstanding received the ultimate accolade – the title of Rioja Master. This report features the medal winners only. Please visit the Global Masters website for more information or, to enter future competitions – giving you the chance to feature online and in print – please call: +44 (0) 20 7803 2420 or email Sophie Raichura at: sophie@thedrinksbusiness.com
Sparkling White Reserva
Winery | Wine Name | Vint. | Medal |
£15-£20 | |||
Bodegas Bilbaínas | Lumen Brut Reserva | 2020 | Gold |
White Genérico
Winery | Wine Name | Vint. | Medal |
£10-£15 | |||
Bodegas Beronia | Beronia Viura Barrel Fermented Rioja | 2023 | Silver |
White Joven
Winery | Wine Name | Vint. | Medal |
Under £10 | |||
Pagos del Rey | Arnegui Viura Blanco | 2023 | Silver |
Bodegas Azpilicueta | Azpilicueta Blanco | 2023 | Silver |
J García Carrión | Pata Negra Rioja Blanco | 2022 | Bronze |
Viña Eguía | Tempranillo Blanco & Viura | 2023 | Bronze |
J García Carrión | Vino Antaño Blanco Platino | 2021 | Bronze |
£10-£15 | |||
Bodegas Orube | Orube Blanco | 2023 | Silver |
£15-£20 | |||
Viña Salceda | Viña Salceda Blanco Sobre Lías | 2023 | Bronze |
£20-£30 | |||
Altos de Rioja | Pigeage Blanco | 2022 | Silver |
£30-£50 | |||
Bodegas Bilbaínas | Viña Pomal Garnacha Blanca | 2022 | Silver |
Bodegas Bilbaínas | La Vicalanda Tempranillo Blanco | 2022 | Silver |
White Crianza
Winery | Wine Name | Vint. | Medal |
£10-£15 | |||
Eguren Ugarte | Eguren Ugarte Blanco Crianza | 2022 | Gold |
White Reserva
Winery | Wine Name | Vint. | Medal |
£15-£20 | |||
Lar de Paula | Blanco Reserva Edición Limitada | 2017 | Gold |
£30-£50 | |||
Bodegas Riojanas | Monte Real Reserva Tempranillo Blanco Colección Larrendant | 2020 | Master |
£50-£70 | |||
Rioja Vega | Rioja Vega Tempranillo Blanco Reserva | 2020 | Gold |
White Gran Reserva
Winery | Wine Name | Vint. | Medal |
£20-£30 | |||
Bodegas Faustino | Faustino I Gran Reserva | 2020 | Master |
£50-£70 | |||
Remirez de Ganuza | Blanco Gran Reserva Olagar | 2017 | Silver |
£70-£100 | |||
Bodegas Riojanas | Monte Real Gran Reserva Colección Larrendant | 2019 | Gold |
White Vinos de Autor
Winery | Wine Name | Vint. | Medal |
£15-£20 | |||
Bodegas Azpilicueta | Colección Privada Blanco | 2023 | Gold |
Rosé Joven
Winery | Wine Name | Vint. | Medal |
Under £10 | |||
Pagos del Rey | Arnegui Rosado | 2023 | Silver |
Bodegas Viña Eguía | Viña Eguía Garnacha, Viura & Mazuelo | 2023 | Silver |
Bodegas Muriel | Muriel Rosado | 2023 | Silver |
£10-£15 | |||
Eguren Ugarte | Eguren Ugarte Rosé Di Vin | 2023 | Gold |
Red Genérico
Winery | Wine Name | Vint. | Medal |
£10-£15 | |||
Bideona | Mayela | 2023 | Silver |
£30-£50 | |||
Bideona | Laguardia (L4GD4) | 2021 | Gold |
Bideona | Leza (L3Z4) | 2021 | Silver |
Bideona | Samaniego (S4MG0) | 2021 | Silver |
Bideona | Villabuena (V1BN4) | 2021 | Silver |
Red Joven
Winery | Wine Name | Vint. | Medal |
Under £10 | |||
Bodegas Campo Viejo | Campo Viejo Ecológico | 2022 | Gold |
J García Carrión | Montequinto Tinto | 2021 | Silver |
J García Carrión | Pata Negra Rioja Vendimia Seleccionada Tempranillo | 2021 | Silver |
Pagos del Rey | Vino Tinto Conde De Basalu | 2023 | Silver |
Bodegas Viña Eguía | Viña Eguía Tempranillo & Mazuelo | 2022 | Silver |
J García Carrión | Antaño Vendimia Seleccionada | 2021 | Bronze |
J García Carrión | Antaño Tinto | 2021 | Bronze |
Bodegas De Familia Burgo Viejo | Palacio de Primavera Tinto | 2023 | Bronze |
Bodegas Viña Eguía | Viña Eguía Garnacha & Graciano | 2022 | Bronze |
£10-£15 | |||
Pagos del Rey | Quinta Alegre Tinto | 2023 | Silver |
Bodegas Beronia | Beronia Tempranillo | 2022 | Silver |
Eguren Ugarte | Eguren Ugarte Maturana | 2019 | Bronze |
£15-£20 | |||
Manuel Quintano | Selección Particular | 2019 | Gold |
£20-£30 | |||
Altos de Rioja | Pigeage Graciano | 2021 | Gold |
Bodegas Orube | Orube Selección de Familia | 2020 | Gold |
Altos de Rioja | Pigeage | 2020 | Silver |
Viña Salceda | Viña Salceda La Rellanilla | 2023 | Silver |
Bodegas Bilbaínas | La Vicalanda Viñas Viejas | 2019 | Silver |
£30-£50 | |||
Amaren | Angeles de Amaren | 2019 | Gold |
Bodegas Marqués de Cáceres | Marqués De Cáceres Maturana | 2021 | Gold |
Bodegas Bilbaínas | Viña Pomal Garnacha | 2021 | Silver |
Amaren | Graciano | 2019 | Bronze |
Red Organic
Winery | Wine Name | Vint. | Medal |
£10-£15 | |||
Queserías La Eralta | Terra Organica Rioja | 2020 | Gold |
Red Joven/ Reserva Blend
Winery | Wine Name | Vint. | Medal |
£10-£15 | |||
Queserías La Eralta | Hohnen X La Eralta Rioja | Non-Vintage | Bronze |
Red Crianza
Winery | Wine Name | Vint. | Medal |
Under £10 | |||
Bodegas Bilbaínas | Viña Pomal Tempranillo Crianza | 2021 | Master |
J García Carrión | Montequinto Crianza | 2018 | Gold |
Bodegas Muriel | Muriel Crianza Rioja Alavesa | 2021 | Gold |
Bodegas La Eralta | Señorio de la Eralta Crianza | 2020 | Gold |
Bodegas La Eralta | Hacienda el Olmo Crianza | 2020 | Silver |
J García Carrión | Pata Negra Rioja Crianza | 2018 | Silver |
J García Carrión | Antaño Crianza | 2018 | Silver |
Pagos del Rey | Arnegui Rioja Crianza | 2023 | Silver |
Pagos del Rey | Conde De Basalu Tinto Crianza | 2020 | Silver |
Bodegas Azpilicueta | Azpilicueta Crianza | 2020 | Silver |
Bodegas Luis Alegre | Luis Alegre Crianza | 2021 | Silver |
£10-£15 | |||
Bodegas Marqués de Vitoria | Marqués de Vitoria Crianza | 2022 | Gold |
Pagos del Rey | Quinta Alegre Tinto Crianza | 2019 | Gold |
Bodegas Marqués de Cáceres | Marqués de Cáceres Crianza | 2021 | Silver |
Pagos del Rey | Arnegui Tinto Crianza | 2020 | Silver |
J García Carrión | Pata Negra Rioja Edición Especial | 2018 | Silver |
J García Carrión | Marqués de Carrión Crianza | 2018 | Silver |
Fincas de Azabache | Azabache Crianza Vendimia Seleccionada | 2021 | Silver |
Bodegas De Familia Burgo Viejo | Burgo Viejo Crianza | 2021 | Silver |
J García Carrión | Viña Arnaiz Crianza | 2018 | Silver |
Pagos del Rey | Arnegui Viento Norte Tinto | 2021 | Silver |
£15-£20 | |||
Rolland Galarreta | R&G Rioja | 2018 | Master |
Lar de Paula | Crianza Ed. Limitada | 2019 | Gold |
Bodegas Beronia | Beronia Edición Limitada | 2020 | Gold |
Bodegas Orube | Orube Crianza | 2020 | Gold |
Manuel Quintano | Cepas Viejas | 2022 | Silver |
Fincas de Azabache | Fincas de Azabache Crianza Garnacha | 2021 | Silver |
Bodegas Campillo SL | Campillo Crianza | 2021 | Silver |
Viña Salceda | Viña Salceda Crianza | 2020 | Silver |
£20-£30 | |||
Bodegas Altanza | Altanza Crianza | 2021 | Silver |
Fincas de Azabache | Culto | 2021 | Bronze |
Red Reserva
Winery | Wine Name | Vint. | Medal |
Under £10 | |||
Pagos del Rey | Conde De Basalu Tinto Reserva | 2018 | Gold |
£10-£15 | |||
Pagos del Rey | Quinta Alegre Tinto Reserva | 2018 | Gold |
J García Carrión | Pata Negra Rioja Reserva | 2016 | Gold |
Pagos del Rey | Arnegui Tinto Reserva | 2018 | Gold |
Bodegas La Eralta | Hacienda el Olmo Reserva | 2018 | Gold |
Bodegas La Eralta | Señorio de la Eralta Reserva | 2018 | Silver |
Bodegas Muriel | Muriel Reserva Vino De Elciego | 2018 | Silver |
J García Carrión | Antaño Reserva | 2016 | Bronze |
£15-£20 | |||
Bodegas Orube | Orube Reserva | 2019 | Gold |
Bodegas De Familia Burgo Viejo | Licenciado Reserva | 2020 | Gold |
Bodegas Bilbaínas | Viña Pomal Reserva | 2018 | Gold |
J García Carrión | Marqués de Carrión Reserva | 2017 | Silver |
J García Carrión | Viña Arnaiz Reserva | 2017 | Bronze |
£20-£30 | |||
Bodegas Beronias | Beronia 198 Barricas | 2018 | Master |
Eguren Ugarte | Martín Cendoya Reserva | 2017 | Gold |
Bodegas Riojanas | Monte Real Reserva De Familia | 2021 | Gold |
Luis Cañas | Reserva Selección de la Familia | 2019 | Gold |
Red Reserva (continued)
Winery | Wine Name | Vint. | Medal |
£20-£30 (continued) | |||
Bodegas Campillo | Campillo Reserva Colección | 2018 | Silver |
Bodegas Riojanas | Viña Albina Reserva | 2021 | Silver |
Manuel Quintano | Reserva | 2019 | Silver |
£30-£50 | |||
Rioja Vega | Rioja Vega 140 Aniversário | 2016 | Master |
Rioja Vega | Rioja Vega Venta Jalón | 2016 | Master |
Rolland Galarreta | Esencia | 2018 | Gold |
Bodegas Altanza | Altanza Reserva | 2019 | Gold |
Marqués de Vargas | Reserva | 2019 | Silver |
£50-£70 | |||
Remirez de Ganuza | Remirez de Ganuza Reserva | 2012 | Gold |
Bodegas Marqués de Cáceres | Marqués de Cáceres Gaudium | 2020 | Gold |
Bodegas Altanza | Altanza Familia Reserva | 2019 | Silver |
Bodegas Altanza | Altanza Club | 2016 | Silver |
£100+ | |||
Remirez de Ganuza | Trasnocho | 2009 | Master |
Red Gran Reserva
Winery | Wine Name | Vint. | Medal |
£10-£15 | |||
Bodegas La Eralta | Señorio de la Eralta Gran Reserva | 2017 | Gold |
Bodegas La Eralta | Hacienda el Olmo Gran Reserva | 2017 | Silver |
Heredad de Baroja | Gran Reserva | 2016 | Silver |
£15-£20 | |||
Bodegas Faustino | Faustino I Gran Reserva | 2016 | Gold |
Bodegas Muriel | Muriel Gran Reserva | 2015 | Gold |
£20-£30 | |||
Heredad de Baroja | Heredad de Baroja Gran Reserva | 2012 | Master |
Pagos del Rey | Arnegui Tinto Gran Reserva | 2017 | Gold |
Bodegas Riojanas | Viña Albina Gran Reserva | 2018 | Gold |
Bodegas De Familia Burgo Viejo | Finca Los Principes Gran Reserva | 2017 | Silver |
£30-£50 | |||
Luis Cañas | Gran Reserva | 2016 | Master |
Bodegas Riojanas | Monte Real Gran Reserva | 2018 | Gold |
Marqués de Vargas | Gran Reserva | 2016 | Gold |
Red Vino de Autor
Winery | Wine Name | Vint. | Medal |
£20-£30 | |||
Bodegas Sonsierra | Viñedo de Altura | 2021 | Gold |
Bodegas Riojanas | Monte Real Garnacha | 2022 | Silver |
£30-£50 | |||
J García Carrión | Bodega La Ermita Rioja | 2019 | Master |
Bodegas Campillo | Campillo 57 | 2018 | Gold |
£50-£70 | |||
Bodegas Sonsierra | El Rincón de los Galos Viñedo Singular | 2018 | Master |
£70-£100 | |||
Bodegas Ysios | Ysios Grano a Grano | 2021 | Gold |
Bodegas Bilbaínas | Viña Zaco | 2019 | Gold |
Bodegas Bilbaínas | Vicuana 2018 | 2018 | Silver |
£100+ | |||
Rolland & Galarreta | R&G Iconic | 2019 | Master |
Mature red Rioja 15 years and older
Winery | Wine Name | Vint. | Medal |
£50-£70 | |||
Bodegas Riojanas | Monte Real Gran Reserva Edición Limitada | 2009 | Master |
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