Bodegas en Villabuena, Izadi Reserva Rioja 2017

Izadi Rioja Reserva is intensely fruity, mingled with those woody, vanilla notes that mark out this style of Rioja. It’s full bodied, rich and concentrated with a long, satisfying finish. For people who love the rich, toastiness of oaked red wines, this is up there with the best of them. An absolute belter.

Izadi is based in Villabuena in the Rioja Alavesa, the highest part of Rioja. The hillside winery (whose precipitous slope allows for gravity assisted production) was founded in 1987 by Gonzalo Antón as a modern breakaway from the traditional style of wine produced by other members of his family. As his son Lalo, who now runs the estate, says: “the whole concept of Izadi really started around wanting to produce wine to satisfy the needs of our friends over a meal”. Izadi produces modern, international wines that are true to their roots and a natural expression of the area.