Viña del Encino, Rioja DOC, red, 2024

When hearing the name Rioja, many people automatically think of long barrel aging and serious, full-bodied red wines. Viña del Encino shows a more youthful, fruitier side of this: it is made from classic Rioja varieties and receives a shorter period of barrel aging, but fruit remains the star of the show.

The blend is based on 85% Tempranillo, complemented by 10% Garnacha and 5% Graciano. Both alcoholic and malolactic fermentation take place in concrete tanks, after which the wine is aged for 6 months in barrels: 70% French and 30% American oak.

Rioja, at the foot of the Sierra Cantabria

Bodegas Tobelos is located in Briñas, just two kilometers from Haro, one of Rioja’s historic wine hubs. The winery sits in a unique location: the landscape and local microclimate are defined by the Sierra Cantabria to the north and the Ebro River to the south. The mountains provide partial protection against weather coming from the north, while the proximity of the Ebro also shapes the climate of the vineyards.

Tobelos works with a total of 55 hectares across about 80 smaller plots, and their vineyards include vines between 30 and 90 years old. The soil is typically clay-limestone and rich in calcium – according to the winery, it is precisely these poorer soils that provide the most interesting raw material.

What kind of wine is it?

In the glass, it is a clean, bright garnet red. The nose is dominated by red fruits, with darker berry notes and subtle, smoky barrel spices in the background.

On the palate, fruit dominates once again. It starts off light, but it is not thin: it is characterized by friendly tannins, well-integrated acidity, and a long finish. The six months in the barrel do not try to take over; instead, they add a little depth and spiciness to the Tempranillo–Garnacha–Graciano blend. The merchant's technical sheet describes it specifically as a round, balanced wine.

Therefore, this is not a heavy, oak-forward Rioja, but a fruity, easy-to-love red that already hints at the more serious character provided by barrel aging.

What to eat with it?

We think Viña del Encino feels particularly at home during a Spanish tapas experience: it is a great choice alongside jamón serrano, fuet, chorizo, Manchego, and other aged cheeses. But feel free to serve it with grilled pork, lamb, tomato-based meat dishes, or even a simple hamburger.

Grape varieties: 85% Tempranillo, 10% Garnacha, 5% Graciano

Recommended serving temperature: 16–18 °C

Alcohol: 14%