January 15, 2025
100 Pointed Yjar Rioja 2018 & 2019 back vintages
100 Pointed Yjar Rioja
Small Amount of 2018 & 2019 Back vintages
Telmo Rodríguez - one of Rioja's most talented winemakers
Telmo Rodríguez’s Yjar was the first Spanish wine to be released on the La Place de Bordeaux system, highlighting a significant milestone for Spanish wine in the world of fine wine.
Having learned his craft at Pétrus and Cos d’Estournel, Rodríguez is arguably one of Spain's greatest winemakers. He sparked a renaissance by making wines that showcase Rioja’s distinctive terroir, rather than masking the grape’s qualities with layers of American oak.
Yjar is crafted from a single 3.8-hectare vineyard located in the limestone-rich foothills of Rioja Alavesa. Yjar’s vineyard history stretches back to the 1400s, situated at 600-800 meters above sea level on the foothills of Sierra de Toloño. Originally maintained by Hieronymite monks, the estate later fell into the hands of the Divisia de Nuestra Señora de los Angeles de Toloño, who managed it for five centuries. After being abandoned following a fire in the 1800s, the property lay dormant until the 1960s, when a Basque family began its restoration. Telmo Rodríguez acquired the 3.8-hectare estate about a decade ago, marking the beginning of Yjar’s exciting new chapter. This specific plot benefits from the region's unique terroir, with its well-drained, mineral-laden soils contributing to the wine’s distinctive character.
After a successful inaugural release in 2017, the 2018 and 2019 vintages have firmly established their pedigree, each earning 100-point scores from critics like Jane Anson and James Suckling. Suckling described the 2018 as “A style that is restrainedly plush and refined, showing superb precision, cohesion, and length when you give it enough time in your glass. If Las Beatas is the fine Burgundy, then this would be Telmo Rodriguez’s Rioja answer to world-class Bordeaux.”
Both vintages have a tasting note that sounds like a kaleidoscope of aromas and complexities, so we invite you to check out the full tasting notes below. As Jane Anson writes, “I hope everyone followed my advice from the first vintage to get on board because it is more than living up to its potential, and its tiny quantities mean that first come are almost certainly first served.”
With only a small amount of the 2018 and 2019 vintages available, Rioja enthusiasts should seize the opportunity to add these remarkable wines to their collection before they’re gone.
Telmo Rodriguez YJAR Rioja 2019
€115* In Bond per bottle
*Prices are accurate as of the blog publication date and may be subject to change.
100 Points | Jane Anson
I tasted this at the property from barrel, thrilled to follow it now in bottle. Grabs you from the first moments with its sage, thyme, dried flowers and incense aromatics, clings to your nostrils, drawing you in, so much depth of flavour to the vivid raspberry and sour cherry fruits, delicate and yet powerful. Hard to describe how little artifice is conveyed in the glass, it's not a wine that is coated in new oak, instead it is delicate, poised, crafted, utterly gorgeous, so moreish. Harvest October 6 to 18, 3.8ha, old gobelet vines, with any replacements coming from massal selction. Iconic winemaking partnership Telmo Rodriguez and Pablo Eguzkiza. I hope everyone folllowed my advice from the first vintage to get on board because it is more than living up to its potential, and its tiny quatities means that first come are almost certainly first served.
99 Points | James Suckling
A more fragrant Yjar this year, more peppery and lifted. Chalk, pepper and mezcal-like herbs with hints of cedar and cocoa powder to the blueberries. Super refined tannins tread carefully on the medium- to full-bodied palate with great juiciness and a long, polished finish. An intrinsic expression. Already delicious now, but will hold, too.
Telmo Rodriguez YJAR Rioja 2018
€115* In Bond per bottle
*Prices are accurate as of the blog publication date and may be subject to change.
100 Points | James Suckling
Such a deep yet complex and sophisticated nose, showing discretion, perfume and finesse. A hint of violet extract to the black cherries, crushed blueberries and cocoa powder aromas, together with Spanish cigars that slowly evolve to truffle, black pepper, incense and freshly chopped herbs. Juicy, yet really composed and dry, with medium to full body and abundant, immaculately fine-grained tannins that unwind evenly on the palate. A style that is restrainedly plush and refined, showing superb precision, cohesion and length, when you give it enough time in your glass. If Las Beatas is the fine Burgundy, then this would be Telmo Rodriguez’s Rioja answer to world-class Bordeaux. Decant it to let the complexity come through. Drink through the next 20 plus years.
98 Points | Jane Anson
Since this wine launched its inaugural vintage last September, I have visited the vineyard, which is tucked in a 3.8ha limestone-dominant corner of the bigger Remelluri estate. You feel the fragrant herbs of the surrounding hills in the wine, breathing proof of terroir into the glass. It means I have tasted this vintage both from barrel at the estate, and now in bottle, and it confirms that this is an extremely special wine. The 2018 is now four years since harvest and still has the raspberry violet blush of a young wine. The fragrance hits you as soon as you wave your nose over the glass, with freshly cut rosemary, sage and tarragon, along with violets, roses, heather, lemongrass and mandarin peel - just so much complexity and nuance. Takes off through the palate, rising through the finish to give a mouthwatering sign off. This was the wine I was most looking forward to trying again for the September Releases, and it does not disappoint.