I’ve been on the hunt for a good Rioja, and the 2019 Bodega Lanzaga ‘LZ’ Rioja is better than good. It’s great! Made by Telmo Rodriguez, one of the most revered winemakers of the region, this is a wine that showcases the pure and savory side of Tempranillo.
Rated 94 points and coming to you at less than $20, this Rioja will please lots of palates.
2019 Bodega Lanzaga ‘LZ’ Rioja
94 points James Suckling, 90 points Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate
To order, stop by the store or click here to order in our online store.
One of the hottest young estates in Rioja, Bodega Lanzaga is run by the talented Telmo Rodriguez. One of the busiest winemakers in Rioja, Telmo is best known for his work at Remelluri, his family’s estate. But those in the know believe that Bodega Lanzaga, his estate in the cool Lanciego zone within Rioja Alavesa, is about to break out. When you taste this wine, I think you’ll understand.
Telmo’s ‘LZ’ Rioja is the estate’s entry-level wine, but trust me, there’s nothing entry level about it. Composed mainly of Tempranillo from old, organically farmed, bush vines, this a wine that combines freshness and purity with concentration and complexity. Fermented and aged entirely in cement, this “no-oak” approach allows the grapes to “speak” of place and classic varietal character.
I was thoroughly impressed when I tasted this one recently with my rep. The color is deep and the aromas/flavors are of dark berries, orange blossom, white pepper, and damp earth. Full-bodied but round and deeply flavored yet lively, this is one that will find lots of admirers. James Suckling summed it up nicely, describing it as “very pretty and aromatic with plum and orange peel” notes along with “very fine tannins and a beautiful, fine-grained finish.” Luis Gutierrez of the Wine Advocate summed it up simply but appropriately, saying it was “like biting into a bunch of ripe grapes, juicy and refreshing.”
I’m thinking this would be amazing with some grilled lamb chops and a mushroom stew. It’s also a fun one to sip on slowly over the course of an evening as it opens up and changes with air and time. Cheers to happy drinking and eating in Asheville.
To order, stop by the store or click here to order in our online store.
Josh Spurling
Owner, Operator, Wine Monger
Table Wine Asheville