Rioja Reserva 2006, Bodegas Urbina
A family-run estate that practises organic methods.
The bodega is situated in Cuzcurrita de RÃo Tirón, on the north-western edge of Rioja.
Four generations of the family have dedicated themselves to the cultivation of their vineyards and the production of wine.
Their sole objective, the production of quality wines, has been achieved as the result of careful viticulture using traditional techniques, harvesting by hand and avoiding the use of weed killers and pesticides.
The 2006 Reserva Especial contains Tempranillo, Mazuelo and Graziano and has more complex, caramelised
aromas. The maturity of this wine really sets it apart from other Riojas and is a steal at this price. With the oak and fruit flavours fully integrating, this is deliciously smooth and really quite special.
Drink with grilled lamb...
Vina Alberdi Reserva, La Rioja Alta
La rioja Alta is one of Spain's most iconic producers, producing some of the country's best wines since 1890.
The Vina Alberdi Reserva is perhaps their most accessible and immediately impressive wine and delivers that quitessential Rioja flavour profile in spades.
Perfect with roast meats and strong hard cheeses, this is drinking well now but will continue to improve for at least a decade.
Dehesa La Granja, Castilla y Leon
Organic Macabeo, Castano, Yecla
This is a great value certified organic wine from the Castano family in South East Spain. This Macabeo (known as Viura further north in Spain and Macabeu in France) is a lovely light, fresh wine with good depth of citrus flavours. A versatile food wine with enough flavour to stand up to some spice but also delicious on it’s own!
‘Hecula’ Monastrell, Castano, Yecla
Based in Yecla, Familia Castaño is known for its huge efforts to promote one of Spain’s native varieties: Monastrell. Castaño embodies the best of what southern Spain has to offer, producing rich, warm-climate wines, with almost Syrah-like complexity, which overdeliver in terms of value year after year. Castaño began bottling characterful, single-varietal Monastrell in the 1980s, when the variety was used exclusively for bulk wines and blending. Today, in the expert hands of Daniel Castaño and his family, the variety maintains high quality even at moderate to generous yields. 80% of the family’s 600 hectares of vineyards are dedicated to Monastrell, with smaller plantings of Cabernet Sauvignon, Macabeo and Chardonnay among others.
This is a big, rich, full-bodied wine made from the Monastrell grape in the Yecla region of south west Spain. Really over-delivers for the price; so tasty! Has always been one of our favourites, and now it's certified organic! Win Win
A great steak wine, but also just one of the best all-round wines on the market. Seriously good.