We use cookies to make your experience better. To comply with the new e-Privacy directive, we need to ask for your consent to set the cookies. Learn more.
They have run their winery, situated in the village of Navarrete, since the early eighties and have overseen the growth of their wines in the foreign market. It was this foresight that has driven the growth of the bodega, and it is this we can thank for it being available for us to drink.
The defining characteristic of this Rioja over other Crianzas is its fantastic oak integration, something you don’t often see below Reserva quality. This is definitely a favourite of mine and I find myself constantly recommending it to customers seeking affordable Rioja.
Tempranillo
Spain’s answer to Cabernet Sauvignon is widely grown throughout the country’s wine making regions. It is very important in the production of Rioja where it makes up a large proportion of the famous red wines of the region.
As well as in Spain, Tempranillo is grown widely in Portugal, under a number of different names, in Argentina and in the south of Australia.
Classically full of red fruit flavour such as cherry and strawberry, this grape variety responds very well to oak maturation. This is responsible for the vanilla and leather flavours that are typical of Rioja.
Spain is a country that just loves putting it’s wine in oak. The rows of barrels pictured to the left are from the Bodegas Navajas where Gustales Crianza is made. Their wines classification is solely based upon how long the wine has been barrel-aged for.