Tasting notes:

Based on our tastings over the course of many years, it’s safe to say that this is the benchmark Rioja reserva. Expensive for the region it may be, but as a truly fine wine – which it undoubtedly is – it’s not unreasonably priced. And it delivers instant appeal on release, already with 15 years of barrel and bottle ageing. As for the character of this outstanding wine, well, it will make the drinker smile with its mature fruit flavours, spice, grip and wonderful mix of sweetness and freshness – as it combines baked cherry and prune with blood orange and tangerine peel. Other flavours include cedar, black pepper, leather and balsamic, which reveal themselves in lingering layers as this medium-weight wine slides down the throat with mouth watering ease, leaving behind a gentle, fine, dry and ripe tannin. While it is wonderful to drink now, it could easily be kept for another 10 years or more. (Patrick Schmitt MW)