You'll be very hard-pressed to find a more impressive wine at this price than this absolute cracker from Castillo de Aresan. Few wines pack so much flavour and texture into such a well-priced package.

The Lomo Alto is one of the stars of their range. It's a blend of grapes (Tempranillo, Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot), all of which perform well in the hot La Mancha climate. The vineyards are at an average 750m altitude, so the cooler nighttime temperatures ensure the grapes retain a good level of acidity and lead to well-balanced wines. 

This wine isn't barrel-aged, however, you could be forgiven for thinking that it is, such is the depth and complexity of flavour. It's rich in texture and has concentrated flavours of blackberry, blackcurrant and sweet spice.

The bottle's label suggests that this is a wine to accompany your favourite cut of beef. Indeed it will do very well, but to be honest, this is a wine to be enjoyed every day of the week with whatever you're eating. We certainly do.

Terrific value Tempranillo from northern Spain. This easy drinking red shows off a great level of fruit for a wine at this price. Ripe strawberry and cherry are joined by a hint of spice on the palate. A versatile wine that is easy going enough to drink on its own, but it will happily accompany white meats, simple suppers and barbecues.

Founded in 1896, Don Federico Paternina established his winery on a site featuring cellars dug in the 16th century in Ollauri, Rioja Alta. After passing through several hands along its history, in 2014 Marques de la Concordia decided to adopt this historic bodega to its family of wines and are now fully committed to preserving its status as among the most beloved names in Rioja.Very aromatic on the nose. On the palate it has red fruits, creamy notes and liquorice. Medium bodied, good structure and persistent.

Aromatic and intense, lovely aromas of wild red berries, blossom, nutmeg and hints of sandalwood. Fresh, fruity and well balanced with sensations of raspberries, vanilla and cinnamon.

300ha of vineyards are planted on clay-limestone soil at an average height of 400m above sea level. Meticulous attention to detail in the vineyards, coupled with the extreme climate, offer the perfect conditions for the production of great wines. Grapes are all hand-picked in early October.

Fermentation in stainless-steel tanks at controlled temperature, with twenty-one days of maceration. Eighteen months in American and French oak barrels. Six months in bottle.

We're really pleased with this find from the sun-drenched vineyards of Castilla in Spain. Old Vines tend to produce richer, more intense wines, and that's certainly the case here. This deeply coloured wine made from forty year old vines has concentrated aromas of rich berries and lifted soft strawberries characters on the palate. It is the embodiment of Tempranillo, and at this price an absolute steal.

Bodegas Tamaral have produced a wine with fantastic intensity here. The autumnal fruit and spice aroma is very inviting, and then on the palate there are layer upon layer of bold flavours, from ripe damson through to spicy raisin and cherry.

Founded in 1896, Don Federico Paternina established his winery on a site featuring cellars dug in the 16th century in Ollauri, Rioja Alta. After passing through several hands along its history, in 2014, Marques de la Concordia decided to adopt this historic bodega to its family of wines and are now fully committed to preserving its status as among the most beloved names in Rioja. This striking Rioja is now wonderfully mature, mellow and flavoursome. There is a sweetness of fruit that is perfectly complemented by a generous helping of spice. The decade of maturation since the grapes were picked has seen the tannins soften and right now the wine is at its soft, velvety peak.

The nose is fresh and perfumed, with aromas of red berries, chocolate and spice. The palate is vibrant and juicy, with red fruits on the mid-palate and a lingering, savoury finish. Tempranillo is a versatile food wine and pairs well with any grilled meat; or spicy, vegetarian dishes. To be enjoyed now and until 2026.

Aromatic and intense, lovely aromas of wild red berries, blossom, nutmeg and hints of sandalwood. Fresh, fruity and well balanced with sensations of raspberries, vanilla and cinnamon.

On the border between Rioja and Navarra, Victor Manzanos carries on the work of the four generations before him. Adding in significant amounts of ambition and energy, he is at the forefront of the new Rioja - championing a modern interpretation of its varieties through his wines. As a grower, Victor is keen to prove that Rioja Baja has its own distinct character and should not be judged as inferior to Rioja Alta or Alavesa - just different. With over 250ha of owned vineyards at his disposal, including what he claims to be the oldest Graciano vines in the world, Victor and the team at Manzanos are fortunately placed to put both the sub-region and the name Manzanos firmly on the map of the most important producers in Rioja.

A beautiful ruby colour. A clean nose with good intensity. Complex aromas of leather, ripe sweet fruit and herbs over a base of fine oak. Palate: Potent and juicy with structure and good tenacity. The finish shows lots of spice and is ample, complex, long and persistent.

In 1970 Luis Cañas changed two hundred years of tradition and became the first winemaker in Rioja Alavesa to bottle his young wine rather than sell it as bulk. This bold move, and his continued pioneering spirit, has cemented the winery's enviable reputation as one of the most progressive in the region. Sheltered below the watchful Sierra Cantabria, the vineyards are all old, small plots on chalky-clay soils with a dedicated team of vineyard workers carrying out organic practices and a purpose built, fully equipped accommodation block was built for the entire vineyard team in 2006. Today, now in his late 80's, Luis still leads the annual harvest, standing at the head of the selection table, keen to ensure that only the best parcels of grapes are used in his wines. His son, Juan Luis Cañas is now the powerhouse behind this highly accomplished winery, but everywhere you go there is a feeling of family, and especially of the lasting legacy that Luis Cañas will leave for both his son and the Alavesa.

 

A stunning, single-vineyard Rioja which comes from a new property shaking up the scene in Spain. The vineyard is ancient, first planted in the 17th century, but the winemaking is modern thanks to the talent of Jesus Madrazo who left famous Contino to make El Sacramento.

The 2014 fully displays the potential of this superb vineyard in Alavesa. All the grapes are hand-picked and the wine is aged in new, French oak barrels for 17 months before bottling. A beautifully crafted blend of tempranillo and 8% graciano, this is exotic and smoky, full-bodied yet elegant.

Ruby red with attractive youth, clear and medium-high tones. Very intense nose with an initial spicy touch that leads to blackberry and currant fruit and final evolution towards balsamic aromas such as aniseed, mint and licorice. The palate has good tannins for conservation and is broad and vinous, with an after taste of ripe fruit and cocoa tones.

Much of Spain's vineyards are devoted to the commercial grape varieties that we all know and love such as Tempranillo and Syrah, but there are also small plots of older, native varieties such as Graciano, Monastrell, Tinto Velasco that farmers have preserved out of a sense of pride or interest in their history to bring together lots of things that we "love" about Spain, from the dry grown bush vines seemingly being watered by magic, amongst the abundant saffron croci that are common across La Mancha. Today we recognise more and more the value of this diversity and the wealth of flavours of some of these older varieties when they come together in a blend.

Deep intense purple colour. Rich ripe, spiced and brambly fruit, pure and mouthfilling with round tannins, and a lively finish.