Bodegas Navajas – Rioja Crianza, 2015
Navajas get their hands on some of the finest fruit from region’s best vineyards and make an excellent traditional Rioja which combines attractive oaky, leathery flavours with fresh, bright fruit and supple palate.
Harpers (30th Jun 2014) (2010 vintage)
“Textbook smooth and sleek Rioja.”- Heather Dougherty
Bodegas Navajas
A family winery originally founded in 1918 as Bodegas Arjona but in 1983 the Navajas family become the sole stockholders, changing its name to Bodegas Navajas
The year 2000 was a turning point in the Bodegas history when they invested in enlarging and improving the winery and cellars with a new barrel-aging area and new modern facilities equipped with state-of-the-art technology. The Navajas family believe that the quality of the wine begins in the vineyards and for this reason they monitor and control the vineyards which belongs to their growers in Rioja Alta and Baja.
Finca La Emperatriz – Reserva, Rioja DOC, Spain 2012
A ruby red wine, very brilliant, with medium to high colour intensity and slightly tinted legs. Very intense on the nose, with initially complex, mineral aromas originating from the soil. This is followed by notes reminiscent of cigar boxes and sweet dairy products, with a hint of black fruits and orange peel; very elegant. Very intense in the mouth; a spirited wine with good acidity and medium strength on the palate. A friendly, enveloping sensation in the mouth, with a fruity and mildly spiced finish. Enjoy with Stews and casseroles.
Bodegas la Emperatriz
Bodegas la Emperatriz is great find. A picturesque estate in the heart of Rioja Alta which has been winning awards since the Paris Universal Exposition of 1878, when it was owned by the last empress of France, Eugenia de Montijo. Now owned by the Hernaiz family since 1996, the estate boasts 67 years old vine Garnacha and Viura, and produces Rioja’s only single estate Crianza. Their wines have proved a huge hit with wine critics across the globe and are widely listed in Madrid’s Michelin starred restaurants.
La Bascula – Catalan Eagle Branco Terra Alta (organic), 2017
Catalan Eagle white is 70% Garnacha Blanca, 20% Viognier and 10% Roussanne. Pale straw colour with an aromatic nose of peach, pear and hints of spice. On the palate, the wine is medium to full bodied, with a refreshing acidity and elements of peach, apricot and lime zest.
La Bascula – Catalan Eagle Red, Terra Alta, 2016
Savoury, minerally flavours from old vine Garnacha and Cariñena are complemented by the smokiness and backbone of the Syrah and Cabernet. A month’s contact with French Oak staves adds a touch of vanilla and complexity.
La Bascula – The Charge Rioja DOC, 2014
The Charge red is made from grapes from all over the Rioja region – 75% Tempranillo, 25% Garnacha. Aromas of berries and warm spices which leads to a palate with beautifully complex dark and spicy fruit and refreshing acidity, balanced by fine vanilla flavours from oak maturation, as well as hints of coffee.
Navajas – Rioja Tinto, 2017
With a brilliant ruby color and a hint of purple this young fruity wine explodes with luscious cherries and raspberries tempered by soft tannins from the small percentage of Mazuelo grapes in the blend.
No Stone Unturned, 2015
The wine comes from the very best plots of our friend Pepe Fuster’s stone covered 26 hectare vineyard in Terra Alta in Catalonia, north-eastern Spain. The Garnacha vines are nearly 50 years old and this age gives the wine great concentration an complexity of dark, spicy, blackberry fruit which has been seasoned and enhanced by 10 months in the finest new Dargaud & Jaegle oak barrels from France.
Set, Vino Tinto Artesano, 2015
This wine is a 100% Garnatxa from vineyard just outside the village of Torroja in the Priorat region of Catalonia. the word SET mean thirst in Catalan and is a reference to the fact that, because of the landscape, the roots of the vines have to dig deep to find water resulting in really low yields of characterful, amazing quality grapes. Only 842 bottles of this wine exist in the world!
Trenta Picades Vino Tinto Artesano 2015
The wine is made from Garnatxa grapes grown near the village of Torroja in the Priorat region of Catalonia. The landscape is arid and the roots of the vines have to dig deep into the earth to find water. this results in very low yields of higly concentrated grape berries. Only 300 bottles of Trenta Picades have been made.
If you like to know the whole process behind making this wine please visit: https://cunninganchovy.wordpress.com/
Turret Fields DO Jumilla Monastrell & Syrah, 2014/15
The name comes from the turret of Castle Madax which dominates the vineyard of the same name.
Working with the excellent Bodegas Juan Gil, the wine was aged for 4 months in new American oak barrels. The raisin character and warmth of the Monastrell is matched by the spice of the Syrah, all enhanced and rounded off by its spell in oak.
Urbina Rioja Reserva Especial 1998
95% Tempranillo, 5% Mazuelo and Graciano. Aged 18 months in American oak casks (12 months in new oak and 6 in 7 year old oak) and a minimum of 12 months in bottle before release. Dark ruby red with amber glints, very pronounced, seductive figs, apricots, nuts, savoury vanilla oak bouquet. Voluptuous, sweet middle palate with delicious, concentrated ripe berry, mature fruit broadening out. Wonderful length, classy and complex wine.