Rioja Wines Shine on the Parker 2024 List

Rioja wines reaping success: in theRioja 2024 report published by Wine Advocate and known as “the Parker list” (from the US critic Robert M. Parker), two DOCa wines have achieved the highest possible rating, which is 100 points! Two others are not far behind, scoring 99 points each.

Rioja wines triumph in the Parker list

Among the 400 wines of the Appellation evaluated, a total of 84 Rioja wines have secured a score of 95 or more. At the top of the list with100 points are the2004 López de Heredia Viña Tondonia Blanco Gran Reserva white wine and its red counterpart, the2004 Gran Reserva Viña Tondonia, both coming from the López de Heredia winery.

The wines2021 Quiñón de Valmira from the Álvaro Palacios Alfaro winery and2020 Las Beatas from the Telmo Rodríguez winery have obtained99 points. Likewise, 2021 Camino de Ribas by José Gil Vigneron , 2020 Tabuerniga by Telmo Rodríguez and 2004 Viña Bosconia Gran Reserva have been scored in this well-known report packing 97 points .

Rioja, a region in constant evolution

Luis Gutiérrez, one of the expert wine connoisseurs in charge of the list compilation, highlights the Wine Region’s capacity to produce top quality wines in the Rioja 2024 report. It further highlights the diversity of Rioja, evidenced by the introduction of new figures in 2017, such as sparkling and Single Vineyard wines.

New regulations drive innovation

The report also welcomes the new regulation approved by the DOCa Regulatory Council, which includes the figure of “Vinos de Pueblo“, allowing the use of the “Vino de” classification when the wine comes from vineyards located in a municipality of the Denomination. This change, described as a “breakthrough” by experts, further highlights the value of the origin of the wine and the vineyard. The report highlights the Control Board’s initiative to promote and protect the Singular Vineyards, ensuring their future and maintaining a balance between traditional and new producers within the appellation.

Rioja wines at the top of the Parker list.

100 pts. 2004 López de Heredia Viña Tondonia Blanco Gran Reserva

100 pts. 2004 López de Heredia Viña Tondonia Gran Reserva

99 pts. 2021 Álvaro Palacios Alfaro Quiñón of Valmira

99 pts. 2020 Telmo Rodríguez Las Beatas

98 pts. 2021 José Gil Vigneron Camino de Ribas

98 pts. 2020 Telmo Rodríguez Tabuerniga

98 pts. 2004 López de Heredia Viña Bosconia Gran Reserva