Telmo Rodriguez Rioja Corriente 2021

Telmo Rodriguez has had an outsized influence on the world of Spanish wine over the past three decades, thanks to the way in which he and his partner, Pablo Eguzkia, have championed forgotten zones, outmoded classifications and near extinct grape varieties. 'Corriente' meaning everyday, is their mission to bring back one of the traditional styles of Rioja; those wines intended not for dinner parties or years in American oak, but for everyday drinking and use. Produced from a blend of organic estate grapes and traditionally farmed purchased fruit, this is fresh and approachable Rioja at its best. It's loaded with expressive dark berry and cherry flavours alongside touches of smoky minerality and cracked black pepper. In our experience, it's almost impossible to find Rioja quite this good at such a superb price. 

92/100 - White pepper, raw spices, dark cherries and ripe plums to the nose. Fresh and crunchy on the palate with medium to full body, underscored by fresh and nicely chewy tannins. Drink or hold. - Zekun Shuai, JamesSuckling.com