Price Drop: Burgo Viejo 'Licenciado' Rioja Reserva 2020

This wine comes from Burgo Viejo, a unique cooperative of six grape-growing families who traditionally sold their fruit to larger producers but recently began crafting their own wines. Their terroir is actually more suited to garnacha, yet they've chosen to focus on tempranillo, creating a distinctive expression that reflects both their family heritage and commitment to quality winemaking rather than mass production.

As a Rioja Reserva, this wine has undergone extended ageing and benefits significantly from aeration to fully express its complex character. Decanting or simply opening it an hour before serving allows the tannins to soften and reveals the wine's intricate layers of black forest cake flavours alongside its savoury, spicy, and earthy undertones that define great aged tempranillo.

Rioja Reserva designation requires minimum three years of ageing, with at least one year in oak barrels, creating wines with greater complexity and structure than younger releases. This 2020 Reserva has developed the characteristic integration of fruit, oak, and tertiary flavours that make Rioja one of Spain's most celebrated wine regions, offering excellent value for aged, premium wine.

The multiple gold medals from prestigious competitions like Berliner Wein Trophy and Challenge International du Vin, plus James Suckling's 90-point 'Outstanding' rating, demonstrate this wine's ability to compete with top-tier international wines. These accolades are particularly impressive for a relatively new label from a small family cooperative, indicating exceptional winemaking skill and terroir expression.

The wine's black forest cake character with savoury, spicy notes makes it perfect for roasted lamb, aged cheeses, or mushroom-based dishes that complement its earthy undertones. The cocoa and clove flavours also pair beautifully with game meats or even dark chocolate desserts, while the balanced acidity cuts through rich, fatty foods without overwhelming delicate preparations.