This is one of those wines you almost have to try, simply because it’s been given so may accolades this year. It took Gold at the 2025 Decanter World Wine Awards with an impressive 95 points, picked up Silver at the IWSC with 94 points and another Silver at the IWC scoring 92. Having enjoyed the Gran Reserva before, I was curious.
It comes from El Coto, Rioja’s largest producer, who farm 730 hectares across eight sites spanning nearly all of the region’s sub-zones. Made from 100% Tempranillo, it’s a dry red at 14% ABV, bottled at source rather than bulk shipped to the UK.
The label is far from inspiring, but that’s no reason to dismiss it. In the glass, the colour is deep and starting to brown. On first pour there’s a ripe cherry scent that deepens beautifully if you let it breathe for twenty minutes. The wine is rounded, carrying a surprising weight for a Reserva, with oak influence that’s gentler than its Gran Reserva sibling, actually making it very balanced overall. There are subtle tannins that add structure and it has a gentle warmth in the mouth. This is a lovely Rioja.
One caveat. Unusually, if left open too long, on day 2, it thins out, even if the aroma stays appealing. The slightly browning edge and thinning out when left for a while suggests this wine might be right at its peak, so this is one to buy and drink now rather than store for too long.
At £8.07 from Asda, with additional, occasional 25% off promotions, it’s arguably the best value Rioja on the UK shelves at the moment.
To be clear, this is the Reserva, not the Gran Reserva, and it’s the 2019 vintage that has scooped the awards. Some of the wards mentioned the Asda ‘Exceptional’ branding rather than the older ‘Extra Special’ label, so don’t be surprised if the name and label design change soon. As with most Riojas, the taste shifts a little from year to year depending on the weather, so stick with the 2019 for now and keep an eye out for reviews of later vintages as they arrive.
