Established since 1999, Bodegas Bhilar is a boutique winery located in Elvillar, Rioja Alavesa, run by husband and wife team, David Sampedro and Melanie Hickman.

Rioja Alavesa is the smallest of the three wine-producing sub-regions in Rioja, Spain. It is the northernmost of the three sub-regions, bordering Rioja Alta to the southwest and Rioja Oriental (formerly Rioja Baja) to the southeast. Rioja Alavesa is most similar to Rioja Alta in terms of climate, soil and style, and together they are considered to produce the best wines of the region.

Robert Parker 91 points

APPELATION: D.O.Ca Rioja (Sub-region: Rioja Alavesa)

GRAPE VARIETIES: 70% Tempranillo 15% Graciano 10% Garnacha 5% Viura

VINES AGE: 50-65 years old

ANNUAL PRODUCTION: Not more than 10 500 bottles

HARVEST & PRODUCTION

The grapes are harvested by hand and brought to the winery in 10 kg cases.

Half of the grapes are selected for whole cluster fermentation and combined with the remaining grapes which are destemmed and placed in a large oak vat where spontaneous fermentation begins with native yeast. After the fermentation is finished, the wine is aged for 36 months in 500-liter French oak barrels where malolactic fermentation takes place naturally.

TASTING NOTES

A soft and impressively styled wine. Ripe, pristine dark cherries and chocolate on the nose lead into a carefully crafted luxuriously flavoured palate. Complex and elegant with notes of herbs and spice. Fine tannins and understated oak.