RIOJA!!! Aged RED WINE on a BUDGET

[@LadyAceRoxy]

Love Rioja, both white and red. Red riojas are the most consistently delicious red wines in my experience and never mind the value for money! Lopez Heredia is one of my favorite wineries of all time, and the Alberdi has a special place in my heart because it’s the first time I tasted the dill from oak people always describe as a tasting note.

[@drmatthewhorkey]

RLdH is also one of my favorite all-timers

[@aaronchan2942]

A category in Spain that I like is "Roble," which is up to 6 months in oak between Joven and Crianza. It's sort of off the topic since your focus is Rioja as bargain aged wines, but sometimes even the Crianzas are too oaky for me in their youth, so "Roble" is a nice, fruitier, fresher category if that's what you're looking for.

[@welshtoro3256]

I very much agree. I think the 'Roble' classification is an attempt to get Spaniards to buy more wine. Consumption is on the decline and these 'Robles' are offering great value. I'm seeing Protos (Ribera) Roble in every shop I go to and it's excellent for £10 euros.

[@ivansanchez6202]

If you can buy some wines from Toro Region in Spain i'm sure you will love it, they are more concentrated more fruity even in reseva or gran reserva (but gran reserva are expensives even in the bodega). Matsu El Recio really good affordable wine or more young dominio del bendito 1er paso similar prices (i prefer las sabias but 20€) madre mia is even more cheap and good quality wine and their more expensive wine platon are 20€ in the bodega and is espectacular. If you prefer Rioja wines i love El Predilecto from Gomez Cruzado but only 2021 because their enologo was diferent traditional making before french ageing so no oak involved. (Sorry for my bad english)

[@drmatthewhorkey]

Good call!

[@aaronchan2942]

Bien entendido. Gracias. @@ivansanchez6202

[@rodjacobs3396]

Great to see you do Rioja and some Spanish wines! And good to finally know the reason you haven't done more and it's not because you don't like Spanish wine. I'm also excited because I have access to La Rioja Alta wines. Many times you have wines that I can't find in my state. I really like La Rioja Riserva. One comparison I like to do and recommend to people. La Rioja Alta also owns Bodegas Aster in the Ribera del Douro region west of Rioja. Granted they are different regions, but both are Tempranillo and have a similar aging system. Rioja uses American oak while the Bodegas Aster uses French oak. So it's interesting to try this comparison as well. I hope you'll be able to do some more Spanish wine videos in the future!

[@welshtoro3256]

Good point. Many big Spanish wineries have a financial interest in a winery in an unfashionable region under a different name but they apply very high standards. Those wines fly under the radar but are very good value.

[@drmatthewhorkey]

There are more to come!

[@WWSReviews]

I keep a good stock of the Alberdi, Ardanza and Arana in my cellar. They are amazing wines for price. Good cellar defenders for the 904 and the 890 as well. That producer does masterful work!

[@welshtoro3256]

True. The 904 is a real step up though. I recently opened a 2004, 904, and it was absolutely divine. A bottle in the U.K of the current release, which is 2017, I think, is still amazing value at £70 considering the quality.

[@drmatthewhorkey]

Great call for a cellar defender!

[@AttorneySomm]

Yes, I'm a huge fan of La Rioja Alta and Rioja generally! Definitely some compelling values, despite the fact that prices have been trending higher.

[@drmatthewhorkey]

Can't wait to share a 890 or 904 with you in the future!

[@AttorneySomm]

@@drmatthewhorkey Sounds great! 👍🍷

[@piffpaff1482]

Rioja Alta: In 2018 the grapes that are usually used to make their 904 went into the Alberdi😉..happy drinking👋

[@drmatthewhorkey]

yeppers!!

[@MichaelJazayeriMD]

I tasted the 2005 Lopez de Heredia Bosconia at a self serve wine bar, and it was a revelation for me. Most of my wine collection now are Reserva and Gran Reserva wines. They are complex and food friendly wines. Unfortunately the prices are creeping up for some of the better known wines, but still, where else can one find a 10 year old wine for $35! The Bosconia typically scores 93-94 points.

[@drmatthewhorkey]

Nice, even with rising prices Rioja can offer great value for money

[@solomonmengeu1003]

Rioja does currently offer incredible value and QPR, though in export markets you do pay a premium for the famous Bodegas. I love Gran Reserva as I am getting a bit older, so tertiary notes like tobacco, forest floor, earthiness are enjoyable together with primary fruit. Reservas are also enjoyable, although I have come across a few that were a bit over oaked, IMHO. Interestingly enough Rioja seems to be moving towards a Burgudian-esque quality pyramid with a greater focus on terroir and sense of place; so it will be interesting to see how that develops. I have found white Rioja, while not easy to find great enjoyment, as they have a cool interplay of fruit, terroir, herbs and savory notes. Izadi, Faustino, and Campo Viejo seem to be pretty readily available, though other Bodegas wines pop up here and there. Great video, let's hope this remains an insider's secret. Shhh........ 🤭

[@drmatthewhorkey]

I love old school white Riojas and just judged a flight of them at Mundus Vini

[@ukaszmaksymowicz4579]

Vińa Arana is tricky. Its a gran reserva, so you would think, that it will be bold, serious and heavy, but it's light, fresh, quite lively. with high acidity. fantastic wine

[@drmatthewhorkey]

Agreed!

[@jameswingad3212]

I absolutely love Rioja and the prices are just unbelievable for the quality. I like all the wines you tasted here and last weekend had the 2010 Tondonia Gran Reserva which was just stunning. Other favourites of mine are the whole suite of wines from Exopto and for a more modern style I find El Puntido so hard to beat. This video has given me quite a thirst!

[@drmatthewhorkey]

Ohhh my oh my, the Tondonia Gran Reserva…

[@diegogodinhorocha9448]

Rioja is very reliable. I don't drink it as much as I used to as I'm trying to get to know other regions, but I end up buying it every now and them because I find crazy value, even in Brazil. Crianza brings the best value, but I love the Robles and Jovens, specially when it gets hot in here. The Reserva from Marques de Riscal is one of the best values I can get in Brazil for any kind of european wine, and it always delivers. I love Ribera del Duero just as much. I really admire the commitment to let it age in the winery and sell it when it's at least close to be ready.

[@drmatthewhorkey]

You’re right abt reliable and the Marques de Riscal Reserva.

[@neomage2021]

I got a case of Bodegas Muga - 2019 Torre Muga. This is going to be one that ages incredibly well.

[@drmatthewhorkey]

Nicee!!! I prefer Prado Enea to TM

[@pinksour634]

Thank you Somm! Your videos were instrumental for my CMS certified exam. I passed my certified ( CMS in India). Your love for sangiovese is unparalleled.

[@drmatthewhorkey]

Ahhh congrats on that! I love India btw and backpacked for seven weeks back in 2008

[@thomasg1273]

Love Rioja and I always keep some in the wine rack. It goes well lamb.

[@drmatthewhorkey]

It does indeed

[@Knigh7z]

Recognised the blurred Vina Arana and Alberdi labels 😄. I know La Rioja Alta too well... Something worth noting is that when I went to La Rioja Alta they told us they sell the Alberdi with a Crianza label in Rioja (or maybe the entirety of Spain), but with a Reserva label elsewhere in the world because of the flavour profile matching a Crianza more, even though it meets Reserva level age requirements.

[@ivansanchez6202]

Even Viña Ardanza are a Gran Reserva But they sell it whit a Reserva Label. The truth are... well they paid less money for be a Reserva than a Gran Reserva so they can sell their wine cheaper if you want to view that way.... Rioja Alta are a Cooperative so it's different from a Bussiness point of view so many truth involves...

[@Knigh7z]

@@ivansanchez6202 yeah they don’t sell Ardanza as Gran Reserva anywhere though. Maybe thankfully…

[@drmatthewhorkey]

Good call on different classifications for the same wine. Muga does this as well

[@zoltannemeti9192]

AFAIK rubber (think of tires, not burnt rubber, that's very different) is a typical form of reduction in red wines. I most often find it in the grenache based Southern Rhone reds and I love it :)

[@drmatthewhorkey]

Ahhh I associate it with Rioja!

[@zoltannemeti9192]

@@drmatthewhorkey I must admit that I don't drink rioja too often :(

[@nikiseminara4345]

Just returned in Italy from a Spanish holiday. A lot of Rioja and my preference in generally for Reserva a very equilibrate cathegory at a very reasonnable price. I love Tempanillo ( hard to admit for an italian sommelier 😅)

[@drmatthewhorkey]

Tempranillo is the Sangiovese of Spain hhehehhehe

[@certisko1]

I like Rioja wines. I really like Bodegas LAN Riserva (really good QPR), Marques de Caceres Riserva, Bodegas Roda. Nice video Matthew👍

[@drmatthewhorkey]

🙏🙏🙏

[@craigmetcalfe1749]

Hey Matthew! Loved this video!! I always pair Lamb (Roasted, Smoked or Wine Scented...using Rioja as a marinade!) with Rioja although there are a lot of Tempranillos being grown in Australia now. My favorites available to me are the Marques De Riscal, Marques De Murietta, and the Campo Viejo. I will of course be looking out for the ones your tasted and may just have to travel there myself! Cheers!

[@drmatthewhorkey]

Annn enjoy your trip there!

[@ongcheonghock]

buyng the Gran Reservas in Spain used to be ridiculously cheap! I organised a Gran Reserva tasting for my wine club all the way back to 1969. All the wines bought at Barcelona airport. Wine bargain for me recently are basic Bourgogne and village burgundies! The recent vintages have wonderful ripe acidity but also great red fruit(global warming?). even non-wine geeks are impressed!

[@drmatthewhorkey]

Niceee

[@juanito2109]

Rioja is like an old friend. If i want comfort food, i make some roast pork and boiled potatoes, a good paella valenciana or some sausage and chickpea stew and i open a good Rioja, i like Crianza a lot, very gastronomic, but sometimes i open a nice reserva. Muga, Tondonia, Alberdi, Beronia are my go to Rioja classicos!

[@drmatthewhorkey]

Good producers there and yes just like an old friend!

[@mikaelplaysguitar]

I opened a Viña Tondonia Reserva 2000 last year only to find a heat damaged / oxidised wine. Very sad but I knew it hadn't been stored properly. Still haven't had an undamaged Tondonia. Once I went to an informal Rioja wine tasting with some outstanding wines, but back then I never noted down what I drank so wouldn't know what they were. Need to keep exploring!

[@welshtoro3256]

I've had a poor Tondonia as well. I couldn't tell if it if it was damaged or just past its best (it was an old one). I'm really coming to the opinion that we shouldn't age Spanish wines to kingdom come. There's a real risk of them becoming tired and flabby. There's very little to be gained after ten years and twenty years ought to be a cut off.

[@drmatthewhorkey]

Yes keep exploring!

[@rvp976]

I had LdH 4 times (2 Tondonia x 2 Bosconia), and all of them got heat damange to some extent

[@welshtoro3256]

@@rvp976 Interesting. They are great but I'm wondering about their journey to the consumer.

[@peteirvine3471]

Rioja is where i worked 2 vintages and will always have a special connection to the place...some of lopez de heredias wines can be absolutely haunting

[@drmatthewhorkey]

Totally agree on that point

[@gustavomgomes]

Great video !! I love Spanish wines. And you are right : they are not good in press. Cause France and Italy also have bad producers in bulk and generally don’t have the same prejudice .

[@drmatthewhorkey]

Long live viña España

[@bjornep2]

I had quite a lot of Rioja, mainly Reservas and Gran Reservas, when I started drinking wine almost 40 years ago. In recent years not so much, but it's mainly because I have been busy trying new regions. I definitely like Rioja and I will definitely buy some for my cellar.

[@tonygallo1104]

I remember the Vina Alberdi reserve from years ago. Good wine. Real good. I went to a tasting of a bunch of their wines And I think I liked the reserva better than gran riserva... I need to ge5 back to drinking Spanish rioja

[@drmatthewhorkey]

Nice! I need more in my cellar too

[@pedroguimaraes5054]

I Love Old style Riokja Reserva/Gran Reserva.....but i'm amazed about the difference of price ...on the other side of the pond you can get the Vina Arana Gran Reserva 2015 for around 30 bucks.

[@drmatthewhorkey]

Yes there is a difference locally for sure!

[@PanxiMorel]

One fact that, in my opinion, defines Rioja is the widespread use of American oak as opposed to French one. This has helped me in the past to identify it just by sniffing it. Very pronounced vanilla profile on the nose.

[@drmatthewhorkey]

Rioja noses can become a tad predictable. Which isn’t a bad thing

[@ROGER-yo9cy]

You are absolutly right, we are baaad in marketing.

[@drmatthewhorkey]

🇪🇸🇪🇸🇪🇸

[@vladimirdemenko6860]

Rioja was 1st love too, but living in Vietnam right now it's hard to find any Spanish wine... So the closest wine to Rioja I can find I think is Argentinean Malbec here, pretty similar notes and tannins

[@drmatthewhorkey]

Ahhh yes the pickings must be tough over there. At least you have great food

[@rodolfoherrero1147]

Good selection of Riojas, considering how wide this area is. My favorite Rioja is also Viña Ardanza, it is an unbelievable quality for the price, and a super elegant wine🍷

[@drmatthewhorkey]

I loooove that wine too

[@ivansanchez6202]

If you like viña ardanza if you can try Finca Martelo from Rioja Alta also it's very good (similar profile of flavours but a little different terroir). (Same Prices or a little more cheap and now they sell 2019 very very good year)

[@rodolfoherrero1147]

@@ivansanchez6202 thank you. Actually I have not tried it yet, but I am keeping 3 bottles of 2016 😉

[@hippolyte09]

Love Lopez de Heredia wine, the viña cubillo crianza is awesome value

[@drmatthewhorkey]

I LOVE that too

[@welshtoro3256]

Agreed. I'm buying it over the Bosconia and have to consider two over the Tondonia Reserva.

[@brigodoro]

If you are looking for aged bargain red wines you should also consider northern Piedmont in the provinces of Novara Vercelli and Biella with the D.O.C. Bramaterra, Fara, Sizzano, Boca and the D.O.C.G. Ghemme and Gattinara there are still a lot of good deals. An example? Sizzano (my favorite)2012 and 2013 cantina Bianchi 13 euro Ghemme vigna Pelizzane 2015 (100% nebbiolo) euro 15 cellar prices.

[@drmatthewhorkey]

Agreed… I love Alto Piemonte and Valle d’Aosta too

[@brigodoro]

​@@drmatthewhorkey So do i, i'm a fanatic of Valle d'Aosta and about northern Piedmont well.....Novara is my birthplace and hometown so as you know Val d'Aosta is just next door. Are you planning any trip to this area in the next future?

[@drmatthewhorkey]

I’ve been to both VdA and Alto P and hope to get back in the future

[@brigodoro]

@@drmatthewhorkey If you are interested a very nice appointment is the Ghemme wine fair wich is between april the 25 and the first week of may, held in the magnificent 15 century complex of the Ricetto in the heart of Ghemme old town. It's a must for us wine lover of the area.

[@fkp05]

classic rioja is like what bordeaux was 20 years ago. same quality but cheap. but it will go up every year. (And it got way more expensive every year.) Tondonia (my only true classic), Rioja Alta, Marques de Murieta, Muga are my classics.

[@drmatthewhorkey]

Some GREAT producers you named there

[@stroopwafel6141]

As long as I don't need to drink oakjuice count me in for a glass of Rioja. I think the Crianza's deliver the most bang for the bucks.

[@drmatthewhorkey]

Def bang for buck

[@welshtoro3256]

Agreed. Not just bang for buck either. Many prefer the Crianzas to the older offerings.

[@stroopwafel6141]

@@drmatthewhorkey Dear Matthew, let's think out of box and I might go a few steps too far but: Could you say that the Crianza's are the Mosel Riesling Kabinetts of the Rioja, in terms of drinking pleasure for 10 to 20 euro per bottle?

[@drmatthewhorkey]

Could be!

[@joesantamaria5874]

I’ve been getting my ass handed to me, money wise, drinking Burgundy. I just can’t do it regularly. Some $15 Rioja Crianzas are murder, so I’m now exploring. So far, Cune, Muga, and especially La Rioja Alta have been killing me for reasonable dollars, but my fave by far is Tondonia! Wow. At under fifty bucks, I’d put it up against Bordeaux $200 second growths.

[@drmatthewhorkey]

Tondonia is an amazing producer indeed

[@henriklindhansen6456]

The López de Heredia Viña Tondonia Reserva. is imo the best value wine in the world... I know its quit a claim. but im sticking to my Guns on that :) Rioja is super underrated. And thats a good thing 😁

[@drmatthewhorkey]

Great wine!

[@ROGER-yo9cy]

Classic Rioja

[@drmatthewhorkey]

It is a classic!

[@hocheye]

Great video! Not really a fan of Tempranillo or Rioja, Grenache yes!

[@drmatthewhorkey]

Thanks

[@peterburlin8198]

Don’t drink that much Rioja and when I do I’m to and fro, at times I really enjoy em other times I find the vanilla and dill and coconut a bit stifling and unfresh. One of the last ones I had was a 2016 of that reserva, Alberdi was it? Find it curious how they can sell em so cheap though, here you can find reservas aged ten years from reputable producers for very little

[@drmatthewhorkey]

Yes the qpr can be amazing

[@peterburlin8198]

@@drmatthewhorkey yeah but tbh I often prefer the Crianza to more oaked and ages bottlings. Once I travelled though the region and found the basic Vino Tavola served in carafe at restaurants to be very enjoyable, fresh, clean and fruity, served cool 👌

[@welshtoro3256]

@@peterburlin8198 Not alone in that opinion. Crianza hits the money for many.

[@fkp05]

Haro is "aro". Not "j"aro. Just as an info. And yes, you should visit it.

[@drmatthewhorkey]

It is a fantastic wine town! I have been before

[@AndrewSmith-rh9kt]

I keep trying to love rioja and even tempranillo in general but I just can't. The nose is right up there but it's just too much in the mouth. I can drink one glass and that's me. It's just too rich for me with the loads of oak and the tart cherry

[@drmatthewhorkey]

Ahhh I hear ya, I prefer the more delicate, old-school Riojas compared to the newer, overtly oaky and fruity ones

[@welshtoro3256]

Matt, you star. It's about time my friend. Straight off the bat I have to confess that Spain is pretty poor on the marketing front. They produce fantastic food but hardly any of it is known outside the country or even individual regions. Spanish honey, for example must be the most varied and best in the world but try buying it abroad. Spanish lamb can be really stunning but it never leaves the country. My Spanish father in law once told me it's because they eat it all themselves. We know, however, that they don't drink all the wine themselves. Indeed, wine consumption in Spain has been on the decline for some years. High end Rioja is for export markets and top quality restaurants. That has led to a number of really good value entry level Riojas to attract Spaniards back to wine which offer great value in the country, such as Muga's El Anden de la Estacion (Crianza), which are double the price outside but still offer excellent value considering what you pay from other countries. A very revealing tasting because it highlights how a consumer can prefer any of the Spanish age classifications according to taste. I know a very sophisticated wine reviewer that loves Crianza because that ticks his fruit to oak ratio. Older isn't always best but I can enjoy all ageing styles but price plays a factor of course. We also have to consider the range of Rioja available today. It's a far cry from that monolith 'Rioja' from thirty years ago. "I'll pick up a Rioja", etc. Welcome home to Spanish wine and the old Grandfather, Rioja. I once commented on our good friend Attorney Somm that there has been a transformation in Rioja in the past 20 years. It's not a calcified dinosaur any more. Loads of brilliant young producers and the old guys have raised their game too. Welsh

[@drmatthewhorkey]

I love Spanish wine and more to come! I’m heading to Navarra next month

[@joesantamaria5874]

Alberdi 2018 has been selling at up to $40 lately. The word is out, unfortunately.

[@drmatthewhorkey]

Ahhh I really? What market?

[@joesantamaria5874]

@@drmatthewhorkey North Carolina. Couldn’t believe it. Still under $30 when you can get it here in beautiful Rehoboth Beach, DE!

[@ongcheonghock]

maybe a tasting of basic burgundies?

[@drmatthewhorkey]

Could be a future video

[@typerightseesight]

red wine budget!? PIASANO! lololol.

[@drmatthewhorkey]

Lolol