Buying options
Tasting notes
Harvested 23–30 October. A blend of Tempranillo, Graciano, Garnacha, Gran Negro and Rojal . Sweet and plump on both the nose and palate, this is a full and rich Rioja with leanings towards the modern, less oak-driven style. Ripe, with opulent fruit but good purity and balancing acids. There is real density of structure. The alcohol is a little warming and adds some jagged edges, but the chalky tannins and intensity of fruit are impressive. (TP)
Critic scores
Average Score
Tom Parker MW, jancisrobinson.com
Luis Gutiérrez, Wine Advocate
More reviews and scores
The second vintage of the top-of-the-range 2018 Yjar was produced with Tempranillo, Garnacha, Graciano and other grapes from selected plots from Remelluri. It has 14.6% alcohol and a pH of 3.45. This has a more modern profile than the other wines from Remelluri, with more sophisticated tannins, a wine that is different, ripe and powerful, with the depth of the Remelluri wines. It's spicy and peppery, long and chewy with a long finish marked by the limestone from the soils. 5,700 bottles produced. It was bottled in May 2021.
Since this wine launched its inaugural vintage last September, I have visited the vineyard, which is tucked in a 3.8ha limestone-dominant corner of the bigger Remelluri estate. You feel the fragrant herbs of the surrounding hills in the wine, breathing proof of terroir into the glass. It means I have tasted this vintage both from barrel at the estate, and now in bottle, and it confirms that this is an extremely special wine. The 2018 is now four years since harvest and still has the raspberry violet blush of a young wine. The fragrance hits you as soon as you wave your nose over the glass, with freshly cut rosemary, sage and tarragon, along with violets, roses, heather, lemongrass and mandarin peel - just so much complexity and nuance. Takes off through the palate, rising through the finish to give a mouthwatering sign off. This was the wine I was most looking forward to trying again for the September Releases, and it does not disappoint.
About the producer
In 1994, Telmo Rodríguez and Pablo Eguzkiza made their first wine together. This was the beginning of Compañía de Vinos Telmo Rodríguez, their joint project that looks to uncover the “real” Spain, working with old vineyards and indigenous varieties to recover the nation’s vinous heritage.
Product details
Tempranillo, Grenache/ Garnacha
Red
Dry