Marques de Tomares Rioja Reserva

With a family grape growing history since 1886, Don Román Montaña founded the winery Marqués de Tomares in 1910, and it is still operated by his grandchildren who continue to maintain the wineries tradition both in the winery and in the estate’s vineyards.

The estate operates in an organic fashion, and all of their vines are old and located high up in the well-regarded Alta zone of the region. Their Reserva leans traditional, but there's nice freshness here too. Perfectly ripe, layered, and complex, this is a thoroughbred of a Rioja that reminds me a bit of Remelluri. 

Aromas of ripe cherry, spiced plum, and creamy blueberry meld seamlessly with hints of spice box, cigar tobacco, and dark chocolate. Full-bodied and powerful, but elegant and totally composed, I'd rate this 95 points all day! - Josh Spurling