Everyone loves good Rioja. Now take a step up to Reserva level. This is from the 2012 vintage, officially classified as ‘very good’. It was aged for at least a year in barrel and two in bottle to produce a Rioja of perfect balance and depth. Pagos de Tahola comes from the Chavarri family – Francisco and daughter Ruth form a winning partnership with winemaker Miguel Lopez Nuñez. Their exemplary wines are based on exuberant fruit harvested from mature vines in some of Rioja’s highest vineyards then infused with the signature fragrance of quality French and US oak. Rich aromas of dried berries and vanilla, hallmark red berry and sweet spice flavours and silky texture – impressively smooth. Serve with Spanish style rice dishes or grilled meats.

Powerful , densely structured and complex, M.Chapoutiers Barbe Rac Chateauneuf-du-Pape is a single vineyard wine produced entirely from Grenache. The fruit is sourced from vines averaging 90 years of age, located in the south of the appellation. The carefully selected grapes are hand harvested, entirely de-stemmed and vinified in concrete tanks. Maturation takes place for 12 months in oak, followed by a further 12 months in bottle prior to release.

Very intense cherry red colour. On the nose is opulent and very expressive, with a base of great quality ripe black fruit, with balsamic notes in the background. On the mouth it has a good acidity, its broad and tasty. Long aftertaste.

Red ripe cherry color with violaceous hues. Intense on the nose, typical aromas of the Tinto Fino can be perceived, such as mature black fruits, blackberry and currant. The subtle oak notes appear in the background. On the mouth its intense with lively tannins, but mature enough to leave a gentle and mellow sensation on the mouth. This wine is balanced and has a persistent acidity.

Fork in the Road Grenache Shiraz shows a deep red colour with magenta hues along the edges. The attractive nose exudes rich and complex aromas of blueberries, fresh charcuterie, dark chocolate and herbs coupled with light floral notes. These vibrant fragrances effortlessly shift to the palate to provide sweet flavours of red fruits and confection balanced by underlying spices and subtle oak notes. The fine and smooth tannins offer a soft and juicy texture, as well as a persistent and lingering finale. Drink this wonderful red wine with brisket, slow cooked barbeque or spicy ethnic dishes to relish its full flavour potential.

Big Red El Bombero has been a top choice with customers for many years. And in seriously good vintages, like 2012, winemaker Javier Domeque crafts a sophisticated Gran Reserva version using the pick of the crop from his oldest vines. To qualify for Gran Reserva status, the wine was aged in oak for three years with further time in bottle prior to release. It's made entirely from Garnacha, an important component of many full bodied Spanish reds, and also of Châteauneuf du Pape from neighbouring France. At 14% vol, it's a touch less powerful than El Bombero itself but full of rich berry flavour and with delicious spicy complexity from American oak. The 2011 is perfect right now. Just decant for an hour and serve with roast shoulder of lamb.

As famed Spanish wine expert John Radford wrote in Decanter, the tiny enclave of Campo de Borja is “the source of some of the best value wines from Spain, if not the world”. It’s true. Where else could you find such a mellow, complex, oak aged red at this price? It’s made by our old friend Pamela Geddes (who also makes our bestselling Monasterio de Santa Cruz) at the 500 year old Bodegas Ruberte. 60% of the wine is Garnacha from vines planted in 1958. They’re not as prolific these days but the intensity of flavour in the grapes is impressive. The balance is Cabernet Sauvignon, which adds classic cassis character and structure to the spicy raspberry Garnacha. A rich and fragrant Spanish red best enjoyed with rustic lamb dishes.