Nick Dobson Wines Rioja

Rioja

Possibly the most famous Spanish wine region, Rioja is situated in the north of Spain, an hour's drive to the south of Bilbao, between the rivers Oja and Ebro. There are three sub-zones within Rioja - Rioja Alavesa in the north, Rioja Alta in the south, and Rioja Baja in the east, adjacent to Navarra. Both red and white grapes are grown - reds include Tempranillo (the main variety), Garnacha, Mazeulo and Graciano, with some Cabernet Sauvignon. Whites include Viura, Malvasía Riojana and Garnacha Blanca.

Bodega Hermanos Laredo

The Laredo brothers, with a deep-rooted family wine-making tradition, are specialists in producing traditional-style Rioja wines (using whole clusters, no destemming) aged in casks giving the consumer some warming and rounded wines for drinking upon release. The family has 16 hectares of vineyards planted in the 1940s around the towns of Leza, Lapuebla and Laguardia. The modern winery, built at the turn of the century, is equipped with stainless steel tanks for temperature controlled fermentations and there are around 2,500 casks for maturing the wines. The family had been part of the local cooperative (UVARA - Union of Grape growers Craftsmen of Alava Rioja) but, as with so many modern wineries, in 1987, Don Luis Laredo decided to break away and make use of the family's premises to make their own wines. In addition to the family's vineyard holdings which produce around 90,000 kilos of grapes each year, a similar quantity is purchased from other local growers. This produces around 125,000 litres of red wine and a small amount of white wine bringing the total to around 170,000 bottles each year.

Rioja Reserva (White) 2003 Bodegas Hermanos Laredo Leza, Rioja Alavesa
Ref: 3441188

Very subtle, elegant, golden yellow colour. Clear and bright, with long legs. The nose offers ripe fruit, balsamic and flowery aromas with spices (cloves) and toasted nuances. Very intense and complex. There is a sharp attack with a very pleasant touch of bitterness, powerful and with backbone. A long, intense finish. Complex with very elegant spices and balsamic notes.
Drink: now to 2011
Grapes: 50% Macabeo, 50 % Malvasía.
Winemaking: Cold maceration and fermentation of flower must in new French and American oak barrel. Later, the wine matures in the same barrel on lees. It remains in French oak barrel for 27 months and then in bottle for rounding at controlled temperature.
ABV: 13%
Food match: Trout, Redfish, Salmon, Grilled swordfish steak, Seafood and Sushi.

Price: £10.16 (Including VAT at 17.5%)

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Miguel Angel Muro

As with so many of the producers on our list, Bodegas Miguel Ángel Muro came about because of the interest of the younger generation. The Muro family has owned 22 hectares of Tempranillo, Graciano and Macabeo in Laguardia and Lapuebla de Labarca for generations but it was only with the arrival of Miguel Angel Muro at the helm that estate bottling has begun. Bodegas Muro comprises 22 hectares of freehold vineyard (Tempranillo 84%, Graciano 5% and Macabeo 11%) in the municipal areas of Lapuebla de Labarca and Laguardia, with vines averaging 35 years old. The south-facing vineyards are located at an exceptional height above sea level (450m to 570 m) receiving a small amount of rainfall throughout the year. All these characteristics contribute to the excellent personality of the grapes, which is the main basis for preparing its exceptional quality wines.

The winery has been updated with 200 French and American barrels used. The range includes a strikingly good unoaked Rioja which has vibrant fruit from carbonic maceration. Next is a superb Crianza from the stunning 2004 vintage. The more prestigious wine is the special selection from the excellent 2001 vintage. Finally, a new flagship wine has been added, Amenital, a special selection first produced in 2004.

Rioja Tinto Joven (unoaked) 2007 Miguel Angel Muro Lapuebla de Labarca Rioja Alavesa
Ref: 3441140

Deep pastel red, with touches of purple. Lively, with red fruits, citrus, and liquorice. Average intensity: as it ages, the intensity will increase. Young but the slight effervescence which goes with this style has virtually disappeared. The palate is pleasant, warm, and very fruity from red fruits to raisins with lively tannin. Drink now and through 2010.
Grape: 85% Tempranillo,15% Macabeo
Winemaking: Carbonic maceration (typical of the Rioja-Alavesa region). The grapes ferment on the whole bunch for 12 days, including maceration, at a temperature no higher than 30ºC. Then they are pressed and finally undergo malolactic fermentation for 10 days.
ABV: 13.5%
Food match: White and red meats, smoked fish, pasta, cheese.

Price: £8.68 (Including VAT at 17.5%)

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Rioja Crianza "Bujanda" 2004 Miguel Angel Muro Lapuebla de Labarca Rioja Alavesa
Ref: 3441189

*£

Quite purple. Nose has vanilla and a little coconut with red fruits. This is a well structured wine with decent balance, a wide range of fruity aromas, red fruits, some coconut and the tell-tale vanilla toast.
Drink: 2008 to 2012
Grapes:100% Tempranillo
Winemaking: The harvest is destemmed and fermented for 10 days at a temperature of 29ºC followed by a 5 day maceration with daily pumping over. Malolactic fermentation is followed by aging in oak barrels for 12 months.
ABV: 13.7%
Reviews:
"Inky red. Ripe red berries and cherries on the nose with subtle tobacco and cocoa qualities adding complexity. Midweight bitter cherries and dark chocolate flavours are firmed and focused by jiucy acidity. Finishes with building sweetness with the bitter cherry note repeating. Nicely balanced" 89/100 (Tanzer)
"Black cherry, cola, tobacco and leafy flavors mingle in this solid red. Remains graceful, but has the structure to match with hearty dishes, and enough acidity to keep it refreshing." 90/100 (Wine Spectator)
Food match: Cured ham and cheese, red meats, roasted or grilled meats.

Price: £10.16 (Including VAT at 17.5%)

Quantity:

Rioja "Amenital" 2004 Miguel Angel Muro Lapuebla de Labarca Rioja Alavesa
Ref: 3441196

Red, with touches of purple. Lively, with red fruits, citrus, and liquorice. Average intensity: as it ages, this will increase. Young but with a great future ahead. The palate is pleasant, warm, and very fruity from red fruits to raisins with lively tannin.
Drink: now to 2012
Grapes: 85% Tempranillo,15% Macabeo
Winemaking: The grapes ferment on the whole bunch for 12 days, including maceration, at a temperature no higher than 30ºC. Then they are pressed and finally undergo malolactic fermentation for 10 days. The wine spends 14 months in barrel which entitles it to Reserva status but Miguel Angel prefers to market the wine in the modern way, eschewing such designations.
ABV: 13.5%
Food match: White and red meats, smoked fish, pasta, cheese...

Price: £20.39 (Including VAT at 17.5%)

Quantity: