Marques de Tomares S.L. Rioja Reserva Magnum 2017, 1,50 L

If a friend recommends a good wine, it could very well be this Rioja—squeaky clean and with long ageing potential. A true 9Wines favourite for several vintages! The magnum is also a stunningly good gift.

The history of Rioja is almost inseparable from that of Bordeaux. During the phylloxera epidemic, France turned to Rioja for wine, introducing barrique ageing to the region. This heritage has honed Rioja’s expertise in handling wood.

A really good Rioja by today's standards must be elegant and delicately spicy, not overly woody, with the beguiling Tempranillo fruit clearly recognisable.

Marques de Tomares Reserva embodies all of this, consistently delivering quality in every vintage. It has a great fruity nose, a delicate touch of vanilla, lightly roasted flavours, and hints of leather and tobacco. On the palate, it is light-footed and elegant, with great fruit and plenty of intensity. The finish is juicy with red berries and a touch of spice.

The 2017 magnum is still very youthful and fresh, shining with wonderful primary fruit. Overall, it makes a fantastic impression and will continue to develop beautifully.