The Château-inspired winery is a relatively new player in Rioja. Started in 1985 by a group of wine entrepreneurs, Baron de Ley quickly positioned themselves as a quality committed producer: small-yield crops, hand-harvested grapes sourced exclusively from their own vineyards, manual grape sorting (about 850 tons per harvest), dynamic wine-making approach, and state of art barrel/bottle ageing facilities. They established their headquarters in a 16th Century Benedictine monastery on the banks of the Ebro River in Rioja Baja near the town of Mendavia. Their flagship wine Rioja Reserva (tempranillo) received 95 pts by Decanter Magazine for the 2010 vintage. Other unique and exciting wines are completing the offer amongst which a Rioja Reserva Blanco (Viura, Malvasia and Garnacha Blanca); two Rioja reds from the indigenous grapes Graciano and Maturana; and a Rioja Reserva in which seven varieties are blended together (Tempranillo, Graciano, Garnacha Tinta, Mazuelo, Viura, Malvasia and Garnacha blanca).

Mainly Tempranillo from the “Los Almendros” estate. Hand harvested. Fermentation takes place in stainless steel tanks. Aged 6 months in American oak barrels.

Intense ruby-red colour. Surprising ripe fruit on the nose, accompanied by fine spicy nuances from its time in the cellar. On the palate it has good presence and mouth-feel, with smooth, rounded tannins and a long finish which brings back the lovely hints of ripe fruit.