2019 Yjar- Rioja

James Suckling - 99

A more fragrant Yjar this year, more peppery and lifted. Chalk, pepper and mezcal-like herbs with hints of cedar and cocoa powder to the blueberries. Super refined tannins tread carefully on the medium- to full-bodied palate with great juiciness and a long, polished finish. An intrinsic expression. Already delicious now, but will hold, too.

Robert Parker - 97

The 2019 Yjar is the third vintage of this top-of-the-range wine, which is designed for the international market and sold through the négociant system of Place de Bordeaux. It’s a blend of Tempranillo, Garnacha, Graciano and other grapes from 3.8 hectares of selected plots from the Remelluri vineyards, which were cropped from a challenging year with frost. This feels young but already very Rioja, marked by the Garnacha, which represented around 30% of the bottled blend. It’s tense and has abundant but fine-grained tannins, a little Italian in style. They kept a lower alcoholic degree in 2019, a moderate 14%, and the wine comes through as very elegant. This has to be my favorite vintage of Yjar. It spent 30 months in barrels of different sizes and foudres. 9,049 bottles were filled in June 2022.

Decanter - 97

The third vintage by oenologist-winemaker Telmo Rodriguez, the 3.8-hectare, single-vineyard cuvée from the limestone foothills of the Sierra de Toloño in Rioja Alavesa is made from a massal selection of Tempranillo, Graciano, Garnacha, Granegro and Rojal. A lovely bright pink-red colour in the glass. Supple and succulent, smooth and round, such a lifeforce on show, a step up slightly from last year – clearly so energetic, forward and sleek. This is defined and powerful no doubt, this is packing a punch in terms of intensity this year, focussed and spiced, the heat and oak come through strongly, but it manages to stay the right side of too much, giving direction and force with lashings of cooling minerality, dried herbs and floral touches. A great wine, joyous, bright, enveloping and high toned. It pulls the palate from black and red fruits to toasted spice, cinnamon, vanilla, blackcurrants and kirsch. Complex and compelling, Yjar always leaves a smile on my face wanting to try another glass and this is no exception.

The Wine Independent - 96

A blend of Tempranillo, Graciano, Garnacha, Granegro, and Rojal, the 2019 YJAR is medium to deep garnet-purple in color. It prances out with fragrant scents of mulberries, kirsch, and blackberry preserves, followed by hints of cracked black pepper, tree bark, and tobacco with a hint of garrigue. The medium-bodied palate delivers wonderfully pure black fruit and mineral flavors with a soft texture and plenty of freshness, finishing long and earthy.