Pagos de Tahola Gran Reserva Rioja 2012

It’s back, and better than ever! We’ve been holding onto the sweet memory of this juicy, dark Spanish Garnacha for years. Back in the 1990s it was one of Tony Laithwaite’s favourite wines, and our customers loved it too. Today it’s made by Bodegas Raíces Ibérica, which was set up by Mark Schiettekat in 2020. Starting up as a local wine merchant (from his garage) in Aragón in the 1990s, Mark has come a long way and has been impressing the critics as he goes. Master of Wine Jancis Robinson listed the bodega as one of Spain’s “exciting newcomers”. Winemaker Rubén Magallanes, a Garnacha fanatic, uses high-altitude, old-vine fruit, to ensure a freshness to the flavour-filled, sweetly spiced red. Juicy red fruits, notes of cocoa powder, spices and balsamic. It's a warming glass solo or with hearty dishes.