695. Château Laville, Sauternes, 2001 
694. Château Sociando-Mallet, Cru Bourgeois Haut-Médoc, 2001 
693. Mas Amiel, Prestige 15 Ans d’Age Maury, NV (2006) 
692. Rey Fernando de Castilla, Antique Palo Cortado Sherry, NV (2012) 
691. Equipo Navazos, I Think Saca de Abril de 2012 En Rama Manzanilla Sherry, NV (2012) 
690. Château Lascombes, Chevalier de Lascombes Margaux, 2004 Garnacha
679. Bodegas Domecq de Jarauta, Viña Marro Rioja Reserva, 2005
As a conference presentation thank you gift, not too bad. But ultimately a mid-range, modern-style Rioja, that was pleasant enough, but not radically inspiring. …
663. Sao del Coster, Terram Priorat, 2006
One from the Princess Wine Club 1st delivery, and a good one too. Deep ruby-black, with a narrow, semi-purple rim. On the nose, intense, …
658. Bodegas Guelbenzu, Lautus Ribera del Queiles VdlT, 2004
A somewhat random purchase from Wimbledon Wine Cellars, after my last guitar lesson. I thought I’d see what New Spain has to offer. Overall …
649. Lopez de Heredia-Viña Tondonia, Viña Bosconia Rioja Gran Reserva, 1991
I wonder if this bottle – stored close enough to the wine shop’s light to be warm on purchase – might have been a …
569. Marqués de Murrieta, Castillo Ygay Rioja Gran Reserva Especial, 1970
Got lazy when the label was being difficult – who knew that leaving it to rot for a couple of weeks would solve the …
Marqués de Riscal: Gehry hotel outshining solid Rioja and Rueda
Marqués de Riscal is a long-established, prominent bodega in the Rioja Alavesa village of Elciego, 20 minutes’ drive West of Logroño. At 5m bottles …
La Rioja Alta: benchmark classical Riojas especially top flight Gran Reservas
La Rioja Alta, established in Haro in 1890, is certainly one of the major players in high quality, traditionally-styled Rioja. In their top pair …
Marqués de Murrieta: Rioja aristocracy built around Castillo Ygay
There are many Rioja bodegas with the vaunted title Marqués in their name – Riscal, Cacéres, Concordia inter alia. In the UK, those of …
CVNE: Combining volume and classical quality
CVNE, the Compania Vinicola del Norte de España, is popularly known as Cune (‘koo-nay’) in Spain – so much so that they adopted Cune …
Contino: Château-style Rioja and Graciano pioneers
Contino were the first Rioja bodega to be set up in the mode of a Bordeaux château, with estate grapes from vineyards surrounding the …