Don Aurelio Reserva de Familia Tempranillo

This is premier league! The top wine of the famous Navarro Lopez, a family owned winery in Valdepenas, Spain since 1904. Labelled as “Reserva de Familia” we can only presume when the Navarro Lopez crew sit down for a family feast that nothing other than the very best is taken to the table!

NZ Master of Wine Steve Bennett scours the wine world in search of incredible value for money wines and boy did he nail it with this one. Originally priced to sell at the $50 mark we’ve cut a deal to take the final stocks of this stunning 2014 vintage at a ridiculously good price just under $40. This is crafted in a similar fashion to top cuvee wines from Rioja and mark our words if it had Rioja on the label you’d be easily paying double!

Using fruit from vines between 40-60 years old at up to 800m above sea level in extreme continental climate with baking hot summer days and cool evenings, producing exceptional fruit of intensity and complexity. No corners cut here, it’s hand harvested with extended maceration and matured in expensive new oak for 15 months. As Steve himself puts it – “An opulent blockbuster wine that defies it’s price.”

Local critic Sam Kim gave this a whopping 5 Star, 96/100 score and reckons you could comfortably cellar this one for 5-6 years yet.

“This is premier league; an outstanding rendition of tempranillo showing dark fruit richness together with vanilla, hazelnut, charcuterie and bouquet garni notes on the nose, leading to a concentrated palate that displays awesome depth and multi-layered mouthfeel. It’s immensely complex and irresistibly seductive with soothing texture and seamlessly woven tannins, finishing long and gratifying. At its best: now to 2026.”

A once in a blue moon opportunity to try a world class, superbly crafted and brilliantly aged Spanish red at a super hot price! Treat yourself.