Baigorri Reserva 2018

Baigorri Reserva 2018 is a red from Spain's prestigious Rioja region, made mainly from old-vine Tempranillo. It's widely recognised for its elegant, intense profile, reflecting Bodegas Baigorri's innovative gravity-flow production.

Baigorri Reserva 2018 – Review and Profile (according to Tim Atkin)

British critic Tim Atkin, one of the most influential voices on Rioja, gave Baigorri Reserva 2018 92 points in his Rioja Special Report.

Style and Key Characteristics

The wine strikes a remarkable balance between tradition and modernity. Gravity-flow winemaking preserves Rioja's classic structure — marked by freshness and ageing capacity — while bringing out a purer, cleaner, more contemporary fruit expression.

Freshness is a key element, strongly influenced by the vineyards' location in the Sonsierra, in Rioja Alavesa. Altitude and clay-limestone soils contribute vibrant acidity and a subtle mineral component that adds precision.

As for oak, the use of French oak for about 18 months is described as elegant and well integrated. It brings notes of sweet spice, cedar and a light smoky touch, complementing the ripe black fruit without overpowering it.

Baigorri Reserva 2018 - 92 points from James Suckling

James Suckling highlights Baigorri Reserva 2018 as a balanced, elegant wine with a polished structure and refined finish.

On the nose, dark walnuts, sandalwood and dark chocolate stand out, with ripe black fruit such as blackberry and a subtle earthy touch of mushrooms.

On the palate it's medium-bodied, with fine, integrated tannins, giving a harmonious, very elegant texture.

The finish is juicy and taut, lingering with hints of coffee and chocolate on the aftertaste, leaving a lasting, complex impression.

In short, James Suckling rates it a polished wine full of finesse, ideal to drink now or keep for a few years to let its complexity develop further.