Rioja under £25: panel tasting results
You don’t have to pay the earth or pick the big names to get an exciting, quality Rioja. Decanter experts give their verdict, tasting notes and drinking windows on some of the best wines available for under £25.
From West to East, Rioja is just 100km and at its widest point 40km, tucked in between mountain ranges and cut through by the river Ebro. As a wine region it is compact, yet it is all about diversity. Politically it is divided, administered by three autonomous governments.
Climatically there are differences: Rioja Alavesa to the north has strong Atlantic influences; Rioja Alta to the west also has a mainly Atlantic climate; Rioja Baja to the east is drier and warmer with Mediterranean influences.
Being Rioja, if it’s on the shelf, it’s ready to drink, though the best will cellar well for 10 years. At the £8-£25 level, the pleasure is surely in drinking them now or soon. The wines have generous fruit, the best with the essence of biting into a fleshy cherry or plum. Alcohols are creeping up to 14.5% in many cases – though most wines are well-balanced.
Nothing is straightforward about the soils in Rioja; a complex blend of chalky clay, ferrous clay and alluvial types. Add into this the differing aspects and elevations – up to 700m, and in a few cases up to 900m. Blend in the grape varieties. To finish, there are the decisions of the producers, each serving diverse customer tastes.
Rioja offers history, tradition and classical wines. Its winemaking history goes back more than 1,000 years; the difficulty is that its image has not moved as far as its wine styles. Yet the region’s producers are not standing still. They have listened to their consumers, and red Rioja priced between £8 and £25 is better value than ever before. See our judges’ outstanding and highly recommended wines here.
Rioja under £25: Panel tasting results
Faustino, I, Rioja, Northern Spain, Spain, 2001
<p>Faustino (founded 1860) with its iconic frosted bottles and portrait labels is one of Rioja's most easily recognised brands. It's a family business based in...
2001
FaustinoRioja
Baron de Ley, Reserva, Rioja, Northern Spain, Spain, 2010
<p>Evocative scents of coconut, woodsmoke, dark cherry and strawberry fruit. Displays punch of citrus acidity and a fine rasp of tannin on the long, classic...
2010
Baron de LeyRioja
Garcia Carrion, Pata Negra, Rioja, Northern Spain, Spain, 2010
<p>Garcia Carrion has been keeping Spain and export markets supplied with drinks for more than a century. The company started in wine and is a...
2010
Garcia CarrionRioja
Urbina, Selección, Rioja, Northern Spain, Spain, 1999
94
Alluring, oxidative, old-school style. Remarkably aromatic, opening up on the palate with nicely knit tannins, relevant fruitiness and a long finish. Impossible to believe it is 15 years old. This is what Rioja can do!
1999
UrbinaRioja
Rioja Vega, Añadas Míticas, Rioja, Northern Spain, Spain, 2005
94
Raspberry, mature oak and leather: a classic Rioja aroma. Palate opens up and is deliciously finely grained, long and elegant. This is a feast! A really good example of gran reserva Rioja.
2005
Rioja VegaRioja
Finca Valpiedra, Reserva, Rioja, Northern Spain, Spain, 2008
93
<p>Cedar, mint and graphite nose that has a fine but unusual fragrance. It’s very original with peppery and vegetal overtones and nice oak integration. A distinctive style of Rioja with a long, resounding finish.</p>
2008
Finca ValpiedraRioja
La Rioja Alta, Viña Ardanza, Rioja, Northern Spain, Spain, 2005
Layers of chocolate, brambles, fine oak, cedar and vanilla make up the palate. Wonderful old-fashioned Rioja that is a bit developed but is classic and...
2005
La Rioja AltaRioja
Carlos Serres, Reserva, Onomástica, Rioja, Northern Spain, Spain, 2004
91
Very fine and focused nose: perfumed, mellow and precise. This has beautiful equilibrium between layers of mature fruit, very fine delicate oak, supple and silky mouthfeel, and a super-long finish. Very classic.
2004
Carlos SerresRioja
Fos, Reserva, Rioja, Alavesa, Northern Spain, Spain, 2008
91
<p>Super-ripe blackberry fruit that is spicy, intense and layered. Graciano shows through here; it’s dense and dark fruited with a lift of acidity and velvety tannins. An impressive and concentrated style.</p>
2008
FosRioja
Finca Allende, Rioja, Alta, Northern Spain, Spain, 2007
<p>Mature nose with a lovely aged quality, showing notes of leather and cola. Elegant fruit and noble expression, enhanced by luxurious ageing vessels, give a...
2007
Finca AllendeRioja
Artevino, Orben, Rioja, Northern Spain, Spain, 2010
90
Fragrant cherry and tobacco nose. Archetypical style, with nice toasty notes, very ripe fruit and wonderful balance, backed by fine tannins. A lovely expression of Rioja that is very inviting and savoury.
2010
ArtevinoRioja
El Coto, Coto de Imaz Gran Reserva, Rioja, Northern Spain, Spain, 2004
90
Smoky, leathery, mature nose with a hint of something exotic. The Tempranillo shows a darker profile in this wine and, overlaid with toasty oak, the emphasis is on the savoury aspect.
2004
El CotoRioja
Forcada, Crianza, Flor de Baco, Rioja, Northern Spain, Spain, 2011
90
Scented, red berry nose with hints of leather and spice. Ripe and juicy cherry fruit carries its oak very well, showing the importance of Garnacha in the blend. A most classic style that is balanced but rich and savoury.
2011
ForcadaRioja
Izadi, Reserva, Rioja, Alavesa, Northern Spain, Spain, 2010
90
Restrained aromas of cedar, cinnamon and menthol. Full, generous palate with an underlay of red fruit, lifted by citrus acidity and chunky but balanced tannins. A classic that will develop well in bottle.
2010
IzadiRioja
Luis Cañas, Colección Privada Reserva, Rioja, Northern Spain, Spain, 2006
90
Lovely red and black fruits still abound here. Classy palate of exotic fruit and cola with a smooth texture and attractive, fleshy fruit to support the grainy tannins. Long, intense finish.
2006
Luis CañasRioja
Bodegas de la Marquesa, Valserrano Reserva, Rioja, Alavesa, Northern Spain, Spain, 2009
90
<p>Exotically oaky nose with a full, dense palate and finely grained tannins. The fruit is sweet and impresses with its power and bold flavours. An ambitious wine of great quality.</p>
2009
Bodegas de la MarquesaRioja
