When it comes to lusty, bold red wines, Spain is one of our favorite countries. While Tempranillo is still the star there, we are seeing more high-end single varietal and blended wines made with Garnacha, Graciano, and even Cabernet Sauvignon. Most Spanish wine lovers know and search for excellent bottles made in Rioja; in fact, selections from this region account for 25 percent of the total Spanish wines for sale in U.S. shops and restaurants. The main grape here is Tempranillo, but it is often blended with small amounts of Mazuelo and Graciano. Although D.O. Ribera del Duero rules allow for the addition of Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Merlot, Garnacha Tinta, and Albillo Mayor, most winemakers prefer to work with 100 percent Tempranillo. Here it sometimes goes by local names such as Tinto Fino and Tinta del Pais, which are just two of the grape’s many aliases.
Another little-known wine region producing excellent wines is Priorat, located in the province of Tarragona, south of Barcelona. Surrounded by the larger wine region D.O. Monsant. Priorat’s soils are characterized by large slate deposits with very little organic material. The recommended grape varieties include Garnacha Tinta and Cariñena but winemakers can also use eight other varieties including Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, and Syrah.
Whichever region you choose you can expect bold but polished tannins, smoothness, and elegance on the palate, and flavors of ripe red fruits, cassis, black raspberry, cranberry, saddle leather, cigar box, and pomegranate. While any of these wines are a natural alongside almost any well-marbled steak on the grill, try pairing a bottle with lamb chops, duck breast, charcuterie, eggplant parmigiana, or pasta with shaved truffles. Here are seven to look for now.
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Bodegas Muga 2020 Torre Muga Rioja Spain
Bodegas Muga was founded in Haro’s historic Barrio de La Estación in 1932 by Isaac Muga and Aurora Caño. The house is known for its very traditional wines including Crianza, Reserva, and Grand Reserva but we really like Torre Muga because it is probably the most modern wine they make. It is garnet colored with aromas of smoked bacon, anise, cinnamon, and ripe black fruits. Soft on entry, it has silky tannins and flavors of coffee bean, toasted hazelnuts, black plum, and a finish laced with vanilla notes.
Buy Now: $150
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Dominio de Pingus 2021 Flor de Pingus Ribera del Duero Spain
Dominio de Pingus, located in Quintanilla de Onésimo in Valladolid province, was founded in 1995 by Danish winemaker Peter Sisseck, who had previously worked at the Pesquera estate, Hacienda Monasterio. Dominio de Pingus’s flagship wine is simply called Pingus, and the Flor de Pingus represents its second wine, but it certainly does not lack in quality. It is brilliant garnet in the glass with aromas of cigar box, tobacco leaf, and ripe red and black fruits that lead to a mouthful of soft, silky tannins with flavors of black cherry, black currant, and a touch of garigue in the finish.
Buy Now: $110
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Remirez de Ganuza 2013 Rioja Reserva Rioja Spain
We visited Bodegas Remirez de Ganuza for the first time about 15 years ago and we have been big fans ever since. We were sorry to hear of the owner and founder Fernando Remirez de Ganuza’s recent passing but are confident the quality will remain unchanged. This 11-year-old reserva is drinking like it was bottled yesterday. It is bright garnet colored with aromas of black fruits, forest floor, and red raspberry with soft, rounded tannins and flavors of black raspberry, red plum, and a hint of coffee in the long, long, finish.
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Costers del Priorat 2019 Clos Cypres Priorat Spain
Named for the old vineyards planted in crumbled slate soils and perched on the edges of steep mountainsides, costers are emblematic to Priorat. This delightful wine is made from grapes grown on the steep slopes of Sant Marti that are surrounded by cypress trees. The winemaking team feels the trees add to the aromatic profile by adding balsamic and pine notes to the complex bouquet, and we couldn’t agree more. The Clos Cypres 2019 has aromas of cedar box, pine tar, black fruits, and forest floor with flavors of ripe black plum, black cherry, and cassis. It’s drinking beautifully right now, but don’t hesitate to lay it down for a few years.
Buy Now: $100
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Marques de Murrieta 2019 Dalmau Tinto Reserva Rioja Spain
Owner Vicente Dalmau Cebrian-Sagarriga currently holds the title of Count of Creixell in the long lineage of Spanish noblemen. His father took over the winery in 1983 but passed away a few years later, leaving Vicente Dalmau in charge of running the estate. Marques de Murrietta Dalmau 2019 is eponymously named and is composed of 86 percent Tempranillo, 10 percent Cabernet Sauvignon, and 4 percent Graciano. Offering aromas of espresso bean, dried lavender, black raspberry, and a whiff of butterscotch, it has polished tannins and flavors of cassis, red plum, and crème caramel in the lengthy finish.
Buy Now: $300
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Alvaro Palacios 2022 Finca Dofi Priorat Spain
Alvaro Palacios is one of nine brothers and sisters born to the owners of Palacios Remondo. He studied winemaking in France, worked at Petrus, and is considered one of the most influential winemakers in Spain. He is among the pioneering winemakers in Priorat, and we feel his stunning Finca Dofi 2022 lives up to the hype. It is ruby garnet colored with aromas of ripe red raspberry, red plum, and a whiff of black licorice. Satin like tannins and bold minerality pave the way for flavors of black cherry, black plum, and anise frond. Drink now or hold for a decade; you won’t be disappointed either way.
Buy Now: $140
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Emilio Moro 2020 Malleolus de Sanchomartin Ribera del Duero Spain
Emilio Moro founded his eponymous winery more than 100 years ago in his hometown Pesquera de Duero. His son Emilio took over the winery after his father’s death and today the winery is run by the fourth generation of the Moro family. This captivating wine is made with grapes grown in the Pago de Sanchomartin, a vineyard that was planted 80 years ago. It has aromas of ripe red and black fruits along with vanilla, oak, and brown baking spices. Slightly grippy tannins lead you to flavors of black raspberry, cassis, and a touch of earthy forest floor in the finish. Drink now or over the next 15 years.
Buy Now: $110
