Created in homage to the Rioja wines of the 19th century The Cibeles Rioja Tempranillo is fleshy, powerful and exuberant While the label is designed in an Art Nouveau Style. This Tempranillo is a modern version of the Rioja red from that century. The wine spends 12 months maturing in Oak barrels and a further period in bottle in order to create this alluring style. Cherry-red in colour the barrel-aging process provides a bouquet with aromas of cocoa, vanilla and coffee, against a lively, fr

Violet colour with a hint of ruby. Compelling nose of fresh blackcurrants, plums, and other dark forest fruits. There is also a gentle herbal and oak notes. The palate is elegant and fruity wine, with different forest fruits, with raspberries and black cherries to the fore. Tannins are very soft and nicely balanced with acidity. Rioja, from Spain. The cradle of noble lineages for centuries, still conceals an ancient path that winds its way to the monasteries of San Millan De La Cogolla. A hidden pathway, once reserved for royalty, which still thrives today, all thanks to the sole heir who has kept the lineage alive. The wine of kings.

'You will be a star, for little money, if you take this to a dinner party. A blend of four indigenous Portuguese varieties, this has cherries and chocolate flavours that have a savoury edge and a gentle finish.' - Jeff Collerson, Daily Telegraph.

Upon much deliberation, our overall masked winner revealed a style and character that provided us with a fairly clear cut insight into the modern day advances of a region etched in history and tradition. Cosme Palacio consistently produces one of our favourite Riojas that always offers incredible value for money. Produced predominantly from Tempranillo grown in cool, relatively high altitude sites, this is modern Rioja that's bright and ready to go thanks to a touch of bottle age. It's medium bodied with fine tannins and juicy in the mouth. Black fruits dominate the flavour profile with some delicate cedar and earthy notes adding complexity to a delicious example from this much loved region.

Altos R, a boutique winery in the heart of the best terroir in Rioja, achieve an excellent balance of traditional vineyard methods combined with the latest developments in technology, allowing them to create a great range of unique modern wines. Their Crianza style (aged for at least two years) Tempranillo offers a powerful and complex nose, with notes of fresh fruits, spices, balsamic and toasted oak all perfectly integrated. The palate is structured, round, and balanced, making it an ideal companion to red meats or an assortment of cheeses.

The Reserva Tempranillo blend from iconic Riojan producer, Marqués de Riscal is made from fruit sourced from outstanding vineyard sites that are in excess of 15 years of age. This fruit is able to withstand the lengthy maturation process in oak due to the fine, complex tannin and acid structure. The resulting wine is classically savoury with notes of dark berries and toasty oak. The palate is long and rounded with interesting hint of spice.

Marqués de Riscal Próximo is a new addition to the Marqués range and is a bright and fruit driven Rioja style sourced from slightly younger Tempranillo vines. Very strict parcel selection along with traditional picking techniques, this Rioja is bursting with dark blackberry fruit with notes of rich, ripe plums. Hints of liquorice and star anise also give the wine a superb backbone that is perfectly suited many Mediterranean cuisines.