Our first vintage of Roda I was 1992 (which was also the estate’s very first vintage!). No Roda I was made in 1993, and then in 1994 we immediately had one of the best years ever.
And this 2021, which finally arrived last week, is unmistakably one of the very best ever. We are not the only ones convinced of this (we were there again and tasted it in July this year): so are all the wine critics and specialists.
2021 was an outstanding year throughout Rioja, on a par with the very best: 1964, 2001 and now, 20 years later, 2021!
It is the perfect combination of power, concentration, ripeness and velvety seduction.
A truly great wine. What’s more, it is already very enjoyable now, in its 5th year, yet still has great ageing potential!
Our first vintage of Roda I was 1992 (which was also the estate’s very first vintage!). No Roda I was made in 1993, and then in 1994 we immediately had one of the best years ever.
We are now more than 30 vintages further on. The 2024 is currently ageing in barrel at the bodega.
And this 2021, which finally arrived last week, is unmistakably one of the very best ever. We are not the only ones convinced of this (we were there again and tasted it in July this year): so are all the wine critics and specialists.
2021 was an outstanding year throughout Rioja, on a par with the very best: 1964, 2001 and now, 20 years later, 2021!
It is the perfect combination of power, concentration, ripeness and velvety seduction.
A truly great wine. What’s more, it is already very enjoyable now, in its 5th year, yet still has great ageing potential!
And the specialist wine press agrees:
James Suckling: “emphasis on elegance and refinement!” and promptly awards it 96/100!
This shows aromas of crushed dark berries, subtle spices and a hint of violets. The palate is medium- to full-bodied with precise, chalky tannins and very elegant, almost ethereal yet clearly defined and linear dark fruit, while the tannins become more expansive and polished toward the finish. It is a good expression of the vintage, shaped by a growing season of abundant rainfall and low average temperatures, with an emphasis on elegance and refinement. Drink or hold.
Even Parker, who is not usually a fan of the full, powerful style of Roda I, gives it a top score of 95/100!
The highest score ever for a Roda I! Truly exceptional. He even calls it “One of the finest ever”!
"With their know-how, excellent vineyards and the superb vintage, they created a brilliant 2021 Roda I, one of the finest ever. It has a harmonious and complex nose of ripe black fruit, aromatic herbs and dry flowers, spicy and elegant. It feels extremely young and undeveloped, with terrific balance and a medium- to full-bodied palate with fine tannins and structure. It's built for the long haul. It's 95% Tempranillo, 4% Graciano and 1% Garnacha with traditional parameters in this wine, 14.5% alcohol, a pH of 3.64 and 5.6 grams of acidity. It was made by time, 16 months in 50% new and 50% second-use French barriques and 30 months in bottle."
Tim Atkins: awards the 2021 vintage 96/100 and calls Roda I “Something of a Triumph”.
You’d expect Roda I to deliver in what Esperanza Tomás calls a “stratospheric” vintage like 2021 and this cuvée of Tempranillo, 4% Graciano and 1% Garnacha doesn’t disappoint. Poised, scented and winningly self-assured, it has subtle 50% new wood, fine-grained tannins, layers of Asian spices, tarragon, pomegranate and wild strawberry and a tangy, focused finish. Something of a triumph.
In the Spanish press, it also scores 96/100 (Guía Peñín).