Rioja Vega have been at the forefront of quality wine production in the region since they first set up 125 years ago. At the time, Phyolloxera was ravaging French vineyards and many winemakers fled to Northern Spain in a bid to change their fortunes. The founder of Vega Rioja, Felipe Ugalde, took full advantage of the influx of experienced wine makers and the estate has been gathering plaudits ever since.
Rioja Vega is one of the oldest estates in the region and the only one which is allowed to use the word Rioja in its name. Their output is consistently superb and the Gran Reserva is no exception. 2009 was an excellent year in Rioja and this wine is beginning to show real class already. It is quite modern in style – full-bodied with lots of black fruit and spice – and will age well over the next 5 or so years. Utterly delicious and a great bargain at this price.