Spain

Wine Advocate 91 points. The light red 2021 Tragolargo is a pure fruit-driven and young Monastrell from a vineyard on sandy and limestone soils in the Casa Balaguer property. It was picked early to preserve acidity and fermented with one-third full clusters and the rest uncrushed. In 2021 there was a heat wave that affected the whites, but they consider it a very good year for reds. It has 13.5% alcohol and a medium body, bottled unoaked, primary, young and fleshy. 25,000 bottles produced. It was bottled in March 2022.  

94 points Wine Spectator: “This full-bodied red is generous yet structured, featuring depth and balance. Ripe flavors of plum and currant mingle with cocoa, clove and mineral notes, supported by mouthcoating tannins and balsamic acidity. Harmonious and long. Best from 2022 through 2037." Bodegas Valderiz is located in Roa, where some of the most complex Tinta del Pais grapes in Spain are produced. In 1980, the head of the family, Tomas Esteban considered his options for making the most of their plots. The vineyard began to take shape over the next 10 years with the efforts and devotion of his sons Juan and Ricardo. The current...

Mundus Vini 2018, Trophy, Best Wine from Ribera del Duero. AWC Vienna, Gold Medal, 2017.   Vintage: 2005 Varieties: 100% Tempranillo grape from vineyards over 80 years old. Vineyard: Located between 800 and 850 meters of altitude Soils: Granites and sandstones from the alteration of the bedrock Alcoholic grade: 14.5% vol. Harvest: The year 2005 turned out to be a short vegetative cycle, due to an early frost in September, which did not affect the grapes, which were already ripe and of optimal quality to be harvested. The harvest was carried out between September 15 and 20, 2005, with an average...

4 Golds. AWC Vienna 2023; Beverage Testing Institute 2021 Mundus Vini 2021 Les Citadelles du Vin 2017 Tim Aitken 91/100 Penin Guise 91/100 Vintage: 2009 Varieties: 100% Tempranillo grape from vineyards over 80 years old. Vineyard: Located between 800 and 850 meters of altitude Soils: Granites and sandstones from the alteration of the bedrock Alcoholic grade: 14.5% vol. Harvest: The 2009 vintage had a balanced development cycle of the vines, with the typical temperature contrast between day and night throughout the summer, which allowed the production of a wine of exceptional quality, with a powerful structure...

7 Gold medals. HK IWSC 2020 Trophy Best Wine from Spain. HK IWSC 2020 Trophy Best Tempranillo. Vintage: 2004 Varieties: 100% Tempranillo grape from vineyards over 80 years old. Vineyard: Located between 800 and 850 meters of altitude Soils: Granites and sandstones from the alteration of the bedrock Alcoholic grade: 15.5% vol. Harvest:  The year 2004 turned out to be an exceptional vegetative cycle with enormous thermal jumps between days and nights throughout the summer and especially in the last month before the harvest. This has allowed us to produce an exceptionally qualitative wine with great structure...

2 Golds. Decanter 94 points. Tim Aitken 91 points Vintage: 2005 Varieties: 100% Tempranillo grape from vineyards over 80 years old. Vineyard: Located between 800 and 850 meters of altitude Soils: Granites and sandstones from the alteration of the bedrock Alcoholic grade: 15.5% vol. Harvest: The year 2005 turned out to be a short vegetative cycle, due to an early frost in September, which did not affect the grapes, which were already ripe and of optimal quality to be picked. This has allowed us to produce an exceptional wine, with great structure and power, which ensures a great capacity for aging in the...

Gold Medal. Mundus Vini 2020 Glod Medal, AWC Vienna 2017. Decanter 93 points. Vintage: 2009 Varieties: 100% Tempranillo grape from vineyards over 80 years old. Vineyard: Located between 800 and 850 meters of altitude Soils: Granites and sandstones from the alteration of the bedrock Alcoholic grade: 15.5% vol. Harvest: The 2009 vintage had a balanced development cycle of the vines, with the typical temperature contrast between day and night throughout the summer, which allowed the production of a wine of exceptional quality, with a powerful structure and great aging capacity. The harvest was carried out...

Gold Medal, Mundus Vini 2012. Gold Medal, Les Citadelles du Vin 2012. James Suckling 92 points. Varieties: 100% Tempranillo grapes from our own vineyards. Vineyard: Located in alluvial terrain between 800 and 850 meters of altitude. Soils: Granites and sandstones from the alteration of the bedrock. Alcoholic grade: 14.5% vol. Harvest: The year 2004 turned out to be an exceptional vegetative cycle with enormous thermal jumps between days and nights throughout the summer and especially in the last month before the harvest.  The harvest was carried out between September 27 and 29, 2004 with an average temperature...

Gold Medal, AWC Vienna, 2017. Gold Medal, Bacchus 2016. James Suckling 92 points.   Varieties: 100% Tempranillo grapes from our own vineyards. Vineyard: Located in alluvial terrain between 800 and 850 meters of altitude. Soils: Granites and sandstones from the alteration of the bedrock. Alcoholic grade: 14.5% vol. Harvest: The year 2005 turned out to be a short vegetative cycle, due to an early frost in September, which did not affect the grapes, which were already ripe and of optimal quality to be picked. The harvest was carried out between September 15 and 20, 2005, with an average temperature of...

Gold Medal, Les Citadelles du Vin 2011 Varieties: 100% Tempranillo grapes from our own vineyards. Vineyard: Located in alluvial terrain between 800 and 850 meters of altitude. Soils: Granites and sandstones from the alteration of the bedrock. Alcoholic grade:  14.5% vol. Harvest: The 2009 vintage had a balanced development cycle of the vines, with the typical temperature contrast between day and night throughout the summer, which allowed the production of a wine of exceptional quality, with a powerful structure and great aging capacity. The harvest was carried out between October 10 and 14, 2009 at an...

Wine Enthusiast 95 points. "A black fruit aroma melds with a balsamic tone and a hint of road tar on the nose. The palate deals a forceful combination of tannins and acidity, while this Gran Reserva from a hot, dry year tastes of ripe black fruits backed by oak and vanilla. Drink through 2028. " Michael Schachner. Decanter World Wine awards 95 points. Intense and complex aromas. Its deep notes of ripe black and red fruit are mixed with the smoky aromas and the hints of coffee, chocolate and leather with a touch of undergrowth. In the background, a subtle and elegant minerality is felt along with its good balsamic aromas. Only made...

Wine and Spirits Magazine 93 points. Vineyards: A selection of our own vineyards in Sotillo and Quintana del Pidio (Burgos) and Pesquera (Valladolid), with an altitude between 900 and 1050 meters. The vineyards are an average of 40 years old and the soil is a mixture of clay and lime, with deep and very sandy gravel on the surface. Ageing: Following the fermentation and maceration, the wine was transferred into 225-litre barrels of new French oak, where it remained for 14 months (and was racked every six months). The wine was then aged in the bottle for a minimum of six months. Tasting: A deep, intense cherry-red colour, bright and...

James Suckling 92 points. 2022 Vintage Tasted: Jul 2025 "Aromas of fresh blackberries, spiced dark cherries and a touch of dark chocolate. Medium- to full-bodied with nicely chewy, dusty tannins. Not a wine with great depth, but there is lovely balance to it." Drink now or hold.

Garnatxa 65% Sirà 25% & Carinyena /Merlot/Cabernet Sauvignon 10%   Wine Advocate 93 points. Dido La Universal 2022 emerges as a red wine that captivates with its youthfulness and vibrancy. On the nose, it unfolds a spectrum of aromas with ripe red fruits and a distinctive hint of tangerine peel, interwoven with nuances of wild herbs and subtle floral notes. Upon tasting, it reveals itself as alluring and succulent, with a lively and invigorating palate entry. Its tannins are refined and contribute to a smooth texture, rendering this wine a delightful choice for enjoyment at any occasion.   Dido La Universal  is a...

This  red wine from La Rioja  is made from the Tempranillo variety and grown from Vinícola Real vines which are situated in Albelda de Iregua (La Rioja). The harvest is done manually and the grapes are transported in small 15kg boxes to ensure that they are in the best condition when they reach the winery. Before the fermentation, the grapes are destemmed and pressed without pressure. The fermentation process lasts 12 days at a temperature of 28 degrees. Cueva del Monge Tinto  is aged for 10 months in American and French oak barrels before it is bottled. The aging takes place in an excavated rock cave which has a...

Wine Enthusiat  93 points. “Intense cherry red covered with black fruit aromas, meaty in the mouth balanced with tender tannins Chocolate and coffee notes, persistent and clean finish. Oxygenation is required". GRAPE VARIETIES 100% Tempranillo. Manual harvesting from our bunch vineyards with vines older than 28 years old average alcoholic fermentation in tanks of 200 Hl with a controlled temperature Aged during 18 months in French and American oak We kept a minimum of 9 months in bottle before to release to the market-

James Suckling 100 points Crushed dark berries are complemented by violets and underbrush with a gentle touch of tobacco. The sophisticated palate shows exceptional definition and polished tannins that are seamlessly integrated into a core of vibrant, restrained fruit. It’s all held together by a linear freshness characteristic of the vintage. This wine has depth, persistence and an incredibly stylish profile. Firm yet with an underlying tenderness. Beautiful now but will continue to evolve. Drink or hold.   Reviewer Name:  Jacobo García Andrade Review Date:  27th July 2025   Jane Anson 100 points. An...