2. 5-Star Rioja Collection
What's even smoother and riper than
your favourite Rioja? The same Rioja
from a five-star vintage!
Rioja's governing body gives every
vintage an official classification and
2010 was classed officially as
"excellent" - only the 10th five-star
vintage since 1955! In your glass, that
translates to richer fruit flavours, a
smoother texture and an even greater
degree of complexity. Taste your
favourites on five-star vintage
form, including Barón de
Barbón, Pagos de Tahola and a gem
from the Martínez Bujanda family -
with today's £13 saving you'll pay
£7.50 a bottle!
4. Bodegas Primicia Oak-aged 2010 (x2)
Savour an irresistibly silky, berry-rich red from a multi-
award-winning Rioja family
Founded in 1985, Bodegas Primicia is listed among Spanish
expert John Radford's top 20 Rioja bodegas and already
has a great many medals to its name. Their irresistibly
silky, berry-rich Rioja is made largely from Tempranillo
for its soft, spicy strawberry fruit, with a dash of velvety
Mazuelo adding depth and savoury notes. Winemaker
Fernando Domingo matured half the wine in new oak
barrels for four months, allowing it to pick up hints of
vanilla and toasty spice, while letting plenty of its
exuberant, youthful fruit character shine through. A
delightful glass to savour on its own, Bodegas Primicia is
tasty, too, with chicken with tomato and garlic or lamb
chops with rosemary. A selection of traditional Spanish
tapas would also be ideal.
5. Barón de Barbón Oak-Aged 2010 (x2)
Outstanding value, eminently quaffable Rioja from the
exceptionally talented Murúa family
The talent behind this contemporary, fruit-driven Rioja is the
young and infectiously keen Javier Murúa. His father Julián
owns Bodegas Muriel (a winery his own parents originally
established in 1926) in Rioja's superior Alavesa district. We have
a fabulous working relationship with the family ensuring we
get first refusal on their finest vats. A previous vintage of
Barón de Barbón has been called "arguably the greatest Rioja
for the price on sale in the UK" (Scotland on Sunday) - no doubt
why our customers order it more often than any other. With its
red berry flavours and fragrant vanilla character, this supple
Rioja is most enjoyable on its own or with simple suppers such
as lamb chops, meaty pasta dishes or chicken casserole.
6. Familia Martinez Bujanda 2010 (x2)
A lush, juicy young Rioja from the award winning Martínez
Bujanda bodega
Familia Martínez Bujanda are among the top producers in
Rioja, consistently listed as one of the top 50 wineries in the
world by Wine Spectator. The family business was founded late
in the 19th century, but was transformed in 1984 when the
Bujanda brothers built an ultra modern facility that is still
one of the finest in Europe. They are also one of a handful of
Rioja bodegas to own all their own vineyards, giving them
total control over quality.From one of the finest vintages in 50
years, this silky smooth wine is packed with delicious cherry
and damson flavours. Easily soft enough to enjoy on its own, it
makes a great choice with roast lamb, paella, or
Mediterranean vegetable dishes like stuffed aubergine or
mixed vegetable kebabs.
7. Monte Rojo 2010 (x2)
Soft, silky, easy drinking Rioja with just a hint of vanilla oak.
An affordable, everyday classic
The historic Ramón Bilbao winery dates back to 1927, but behind
its elegant facade visitors can admire the latest winemaking
technology. Below ground, in its extensive cellars, row upon
row of top quality barrels, produced by local master coopers
to the exacting standard of the winemakers, provide perfect
conditions for maturing their delicious wines. The Alta region
of Rioja, where the Bilbao bodega lies, has the highest
vineyards and, as a consequence, enjoys a cooler climate than
the other two parts of Rioja - Baja and the Alavesa. This suits
early ripening Tempranillo - and helps retain the delicious
freshness of the fruit.This fine Rioja will be ideal with lamb, a
spicy chorizo topped pizza or a Spanish style pork and bean
stew.
8. Palacio de Verano Oak-Aged 2010 (x2)
Savour this silky Rioja from a families-owned bodega - you'll
soon be reaching for a second glass!
In 1987 a group of families, each with their own small plot of
vines, decided to get together and produce wine from their own
grapes, rather than selling them to a big cellar to disappear
into an anonymous brand. Between them they grow
Tempranillo, Garnacha, Graciano, Carignan and Viura, on vines
ranging from 30 to 90 years old - so their wines offer both
intensity and complexity. Hand-picking and rigorous selection
ensure that only the best grapes make it into the wine, while a
period in oak barrels lends toasty notes to the juicy
fruit.Silky smooth with irresistible ripe red and black
fruits, this wine is deliciously easy to drink on its own. It
should also go well with many tapas dishes, red meats or hard
cheeses like Manchego.
9. Pagos de Tahola Oak Aged 2010 (x2)
Exemplary, oak-aged Rioja from the century-old Chavarri
family estate. Fragrant and silken
The first vines were planted at this estate in 1882, although the
winery itself was rebuilt in 1968. Two generations of the
Chavarri family currently run Pagos de Tahola - father
Francisco and daughter Ruth. Winemaker Miguel Lopez Nunez is
the final part of this winning partnership. The house style is
based on exuberant fruit from mature vines grown in some of
Rioja's highest vineyards, infused with the signature fragrance
of high-quality French and American oak barrels. Intended to be
enjoyed in its youth, this oak-aged Tempranillo is very much
the style the locals themselves prefer, with its simple red
berry fruit flavours and subtle hints of vanilla and cloves.
Follow their example and serve with tapas, grilled lamb or
rabbit casserole.
10. Check out our website for more information and the possibility to buy wine from
wide selection of red wines, white wines, rose wines and
champagne, prosecco & sparkling wines. It’s simple, easy and you can
have the wine delivered to your doorstep! Browse the site to find Laithwaites
wines today!
