The Wine Spectator 2020 wine of the year was announced last Friday as:
Marques Murrieta, Castillo Ygay Gran Reserva Especial 2010
It was described by Thomas Matthews, who covers the region, as “maturing well” and “a lovely example of the traditional style”. He found notes of “orange peel, dried cherry, forest floor, vanilla, and black tea flavors mingle harmoniously over round tannins and citrusy acidity”.
The wine initially traded at £1,000 per 12×75. There are now LIVE bids up to £1050 per case and £2,745 per 1×1800.
Decanter also thought a few Riojas were deserving of high merit and awarded two wines 95 points while including them in their annual Top Panel Tastings of 2020:
- Burgo Viejo, Licenciado Reserva Rioja, Baja, 2016
- Escudero, Serna Imperial Reserva, Rioja, 2010
El Coto Coto de Imax Gran Reserva 2012 took 9th spot on the Wine Enthusiasts Top 100 wines of the year and its available for under £80 per 6×75.
For a region that makes up only 1.4% of secondary market trade, even less for Rioja (0.28%), it has taken up a lot of real estate on the international wine publication’s Top 100 lists this year.
Spain’s market share by value in 2020 has doubled from 2019 but will it continue its upward trajectory? If the critical attention is any indication, the region may be in greater focus still, in 2021.
Attached below are all wines from the region.
