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Rioja Vintage Guide

Vintages

Marqués de Murrieta masterclass: DFWE NYC 2024

An exceptional tasting of some of Rioja's most sought after wines...

By Clive Pursehouse Last updated 30 January 25
Rioja fine wine market report

Latest developments from trades and auctions...

By Chris Mercer Last updated 19 August 24
Worth the wait: Rioja vintage guide

Covering the vintages 2001-2022...

By Pedro Ballesteros Torres MW Last updated 10 June 24
Premium Rioja crianza: Panel tasting results

The results of a 53-wine panel tasting...

By Sarah Jane Evans MW Last updated 27 March 24
The white Rioja renaissance

These 20 top barrel-matured whites show clearly how Rioja’s winemakers are placing an increased emphasis on rediscovering the capacity of their grapes to produce wines of impressive character and excellent value

By Sarah Jane Evans MW Published 5 March 22

Five great Rioja vintages to drink now

A selection of 15 wines spanning five different vintages all drinking well today...

By Simon Field MW Published 19 October 21
The best Rioja vintages to drink now

If you have any old bottles of Rioja in your cellar, now may be the right time to uncork them...

By Pedro Ballesteros Torres MW Published 8 December 20
Rioja 1990s: A vintage guide

How are the individual vintages stacking up against each other now?

By Pedro Ballesteros Torres MW Published 29 November 20
Rioja renegades: 10 producers writing their own rules

Free spirits of Rioja and wines to look for...

By Sarah Jane Evans MW Last updated 9 August 19
The push for Rioja crus – part one

Why would you want to change a winning formula? Adam Lechmere meets a band of ‘reformers’ who dream of Rioja crus.

By Adam Lechmere Last updated 10 November 15
2010 vintage guide for Spain Rioja

2010 vintage guide for Spain Rioja. Excelente! Has the potential to stand alongside 2005. Drink 2014–2024.

By Jthexton Last updated 16 October 15

1993 vintage guide for Spain Rioja

1993 vintage guide for Spain Rioja. A good but unexciting vintage which produced wines for immediate drinking.

By Decanter Staff Last updated 15 October 15
1994 vintage guide for Spain Rioja

1994 vintage guide for Spain Rioja. Splendid year with intense, slow maturing wines of great colour and depth of flavour.

By Decanter Staff Last updated 15 October 15
1995 vintage guide for Spain Rioja

1995 vintage guide for Spain Rioja. A big vintage of classic wines.

By Decanter Staff Last updated 15 October 15
1996 vintage guide for Spain Rioja

1996 vintage guide for Spain Rioja. A very good vintage though less fine than the preceding two.

By Decanter Staff Last updated 15 October 15
1997 vintage guide for Spain Rioja

1997 vintage guide for Spain Rioja. A sound but unexceptional year.

By Decanter Staff Last updated 15 October 15
1998 vintage guide for Spain Rioja

1998 vintage guide for Spain Rioja. A largely successful year with plenty of above average wines.

By Decanter Staff Last updated 15 October 15

1999 vintage guide for Spain Rioja

1999 vintage guide for Spain Rioja. Yields were down but generally quality is good.

By Decanter Staff Last updated 15 October 15
2000 vintage guide for Spain Rioja

2000 vintage guide for Spain Rioja. Officially a three-star vintage. Some made better wine than others.

By Decanter Staff Last updated 15 October 15
2001 vintage guide for Spain Rioja

2001 vintage guide for Spain Rioja. Classic Rioja wines: robust and round with balancing acidity

By Decanter Staff Last updated 15 October 15
2002 vintage guide for Spain Rioja

2002 vintage guide for Spain Rioja. Fairly broad early drinking wines

By Decanter Staff Last updated 15 October 15
2003 vintage guide for Spain Rioja

2003 vintage guide for Spain Rioja. Mixed bag, though better producers created powerful, intense and balanced wines

By Decanter Staff Last updated 15 October 15
2004 vintage guide for Spain Rioja

2004 vintage guide for Spain Rioja. Wines with high alcohol and concentrated colour and aromas ideal for ageing

By Decanter Staff Last updated 15 October 15

2005 vintage guide for Spain Rioja

2005 vintage guide for Spain Rioja. The grapes arrived in excellent health with analytical parameters which correspond to an extraordinary vintage.

By Decanter Staff Last updated 15 October 15
2006 vintage guide for Spain Rioja

2006 vintage guide for Spain Rioja. Good to very good vintage, with a moderate harvest securing good quality fruit and fresh, supple and crisp wines.

By Decanter Staff Last updated 15 October 15
2007 vintage guide for Spain Rioja

2007 vintage guide for Spain Rioja. Most consistent quality from Rioja Baja, with crisp, well-balanced, elegant wines.

By Decanter Staff Last updated 15 October 15
2008 vintage guide for Spain Rioja

2008 vintage guide for Spain Rioja. Ripe, balanced, medium-boded red wines, with bright acidity. Whites are racy with good fruit and floral flavours.

By Decanter Staff Last updated 15 October 15
2009 vintage guide for Spain Rioja

2009 vintage guide for Spain Rioja. A 'useful' vintage, probably for drinking relatively early.

By Decanter Staff Last updated 15 October 15
1973 vintage guide for Spain Rioja

By Decanter Staff Last updated 13 October 15

1986 vintage guide for Spain Rioja

By Decanter Staff Last updated 13 October 15
1970 vintage guide for Spain Rioja

By Decanter Staff Last updated 17 June 15
1971 vintage guide for Spain Rioja

By Decanter Staff Last updated 17 June 15