Tim Atkin MW hosted a wine tasting event on 13 February 2024 that featured over 300 wines from leading bodegas, many of which came to London specifically to showcase their wines.
This event marked a first in either London or Rioja, with such an extensive collection of wines being presented for tasting. Tim dedicates three weeks each year to visiting the vineyards and producers and the wines included in this event were chosen based on Tim’s latest Rioja Report.
The following producers where pouring wines: 220 Cántaras, Abel Mendoza, Alegre y Valgañon, Arizcuren, Artuke, Benjamin de Rothschild/Vega Sicilia, Berta Valgañón, Bodega 202, Bodega Contador, Bodega Lanzaga, Bodegas Amaren, Bodegas Basilio Izquierdo, Bodegas Bhilar, Bodegas Hermanos Pecina SL, Bodegas Luis Cañas, Bodegas Mauro, Bodegas Proelio, Bodegas Teordoro Ruiz Monge, Bodegas Valdelana, Bodegas Valdemar, Bodegas Verum, Carlos Sánchez, Castillo de Cuzcurrita, Creaciones Exeo, Cuentaviñas, CVNE, Dominio de Berzal, Dominio del Challao, Exopto, Finca Allende, Finca Valpiedra, Gómez Cruzado, Hermanos Hernáiz, Javier San Pedro Ortega, José Basoco Basoco, José Gil Vignerons de la Sonsierra, Juan Carlos Sancha, Lalomba, La Rioja Alta, MacRobert & Canals, Marqués de Murrieta, Marqués de Vargas, Miguel Merino, Muga, Nivarius, Ostatu, Palacios Remondo, Pujanza, Remelluri, Remírez de Ganuza, Roda, Sierra de Toloño, Struggling Vines, Tierra, Ukan Winery, Valenciso, Víctor Ausejo Viticultor, Viña del Lentisco, Viñas Leizaola, Viñedos de Páganos, Viñedos El Pacto, Vinícola Real and Vinos en Voz Baja.
See my article on ‘Understanding Rioja‘ for a high level overview of Rioja wines.
Here are the wines I tried:
As expected, they were all exceptional, but here those I liked the most, together with my notes:
Price Key: £ = £6, ££ = 7-10, £££ = 11-20, ££££ = 20-35, £££££ = 35+
Allende, Blanco Rioja 2019. The only white I tasted. 95% Viura, 5% Malvasía. Very citrus and tropical aroma. Fresh yet slightly smokey taste. Available from Hedonism, The Wine Society and Cavite. ££££
Bodegas Hermanos Pecina, Gran Reserva 2014. 95% Tempranillo, 3% Garnacha, 2% Graciano. Cherry aroma with vanilla. Excellent balance of fruit and tannins. Available from Justerini & Brooks. ££££
Muga, Prado Enea 2015. Tempranillo, Garnacha and Graciano. Black fruit aromas. Long finish. Just excellent. Widely available. £££££
Roda I Reserva 2017. Tempranillo, Garnacha and Graciano. 2017 was hot year so lots of fruit taste and aroma. Smooth, balanced tannins. Excellent. 2019, also tried, was colder year so slightly lighter with less tannins. Prefer 2017. Available from Hedonism, Albion, Majestic and Fraziers. £££££
CVNE, Imperial Gran Reserva 2017. 85% Tempranillo, 10% Graciano, 5% Mazuelo. Red fruit aromas. Blackberry and spice flavour. Available from BBR, Goedhuis, Lay Wheeler and Farr. £££££
Remelluri Reserva 2005. Tempranillo, Garnacha and Graciano. Strong cherry/blackberry nose. Extremely well rounded taste and tannins. From Indigo Wines. £££££
Valenciso Reserva 10 Años Después. 100% Tempranillo. Black fruit and balsamic aroma. Very agreeable, complex taste. From Boutinot. £££££
Alta 890 Gran Reserva 2010 (Tempranillo, Mazuelo and Graciano) and 904 2015 (Tempranillo and Graciano). Both had captivating aromas, complex flavour and a lasting finish. They felt ‘whole’ or should I say perfectly well-rounded. These wines were my favourite at the tasting. From Armit Wines. £££££
200 Monges Gran Reserva 2006. A hidden gem, not on the official tasting list. Excellent balance of fruit and tannins. I tried many of the Monges wines and they were all great and offered a comprehensive range of tastes. Unfortunately, the 200 Monges Gran Reserva 2006 is nearly sold out. From Wanderlust. ££££
Angeles de Amaren 2019. Tempranillo and Graciano. Intense fruit aroma. Extremely well balanced red/black fruit and tannins. Long finish. Excellent and more affordable. From Virgin Wines, Amps Wine Merchants, The Vine King and Hennings. ££££
Luis Cañas Gran Reserva 2016. Tempranillo and Graciano. Concentrated black fruit and herb aroma. Long, black fruit and liquorice taste. From Virgin Wines, Amps Wine Merchants, The Vine King and Hennings. £££££
Marqués de Murrieta Castillo Ygay Especial 2012. Extremely smooth, balanced and fruity. Tempranillo and Mazuelo. From Fine & Rare, IG Wines, Hard to Find Wines and Goedhuis. £££££
Among the above wines, the Alta wines stood out, offering something very special that, unfortunately, may not be within the budget of most consumers. When considering the balance of price and quality, the Angeles de Amaren 2019 and Bodegas Hermanos Pecina, Gran Reserva 2014 offer compelling alternatives.
The wines were selected from Tim’s Rioja Report that’s available to purchase which is a comprehensive overview of Spain’s most famous wine region including a classification of bodegas and cooperatives, wine scores and tips where to eat and stay.
