Yjar (BIO-ORGANIC) - Rioja 2019

Decanter.com

98

par Georgina Hindle le 04/09/2023

The third vintage by oenologist-winemaker Telmo Rodriguez, the 3.8-hectare, single-vineyard cuvée from the limestone foothills of the Sierra de Toloño in Rioja Alavesa is made from a massal selection of Tempranillo, Graciano, Garnacha, Granegro and Rojal. A lovely bright pink-red colour in the glass. Supple and succulent, smooth and round, such a lifeforce on show, a step up slightly from last year - clearly so energetic, forward and sleek. This is defined and powerful no doubt, this is packing a punch in terms of intensity this year, focussed and spiced, the heat and oak come through strongly, but it manages to stay the right side of too much, giving direction and force with lashings of cooling minerality, dried herbs and floral touches. A great wine, joyous, bright, enveloping and high toned. It pulls the palate from black and red fruits to toasted spice, cinnamon, vanilla, blackcurrants and kirsch. Complex and compelling, Yjar always leaves a smile on my face wanting to try another glass and this is no exception.

Wine Advocate

97

par Luis Gutierrez le 31/08/2023

The 2019 Yjar is the third vintage of their top-of-the-range wine designed for the international market and sold through the négociant system of Bordeaux. It was produced with a blend of Tempranillo, Garnacha, Graciano and other grapes from 3.8 hectares of selected plots from the Remelluri vineyards, cropped from a challenging year with frost. This feels young but already very Rioja, marked by the Garnacha, which could represent around 30% of the bottled blend. It's tense and has abundant but fine-grained tannins, a little Italian in style. They kept a lower alcoholic degree in 2019, a moderate 14%, and the wine comes through as very elegant. This has to be my favorite vintage of Yjar. It spent 30 months in barrels of different sizes and foudres. 9,049 bottles were filled in June 2022.

The Drink Business

96

par Colin Hay le 30/08/2023

Also from Telmo Rodriguez. Somewhat firm and closed at this nascent stage, but what it does show is its considerable potential. A little candlewax, assorted plum and baked plum fruits on the nose. Pure, focussed and precise on the palate, nicely layered and impressively dense and compact. This I find stronger than last year’s release but it’s very much a vin de garde and will need a good few years in a cool cellar to show of its best. A lot of potential.

Jamessuckling.com

99

par James Suckling le 27/08/2023

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.

The Wine Independent

96

par Lisa Perrotti-Brown le 21/08/2023

A blend of Tempranillo, Graciano, Garnacha, Granegro, and Rojal, the 2019 YJAR is medium to deep garnet-purple in color. It prances out with fragrant scents of mulberries, kirsch, and blackberry preserves, followed by hints of cracked black pepper, tree bark, and tobacco with a hint of garrigue. The medium-bodied palate delivers wonderfully pure black fruit and mineral flavors with a soft texture and plenty of freshness, finishing long and earthy.

Jane Anson, Inside Bordeaux

100

par Jane Anson le 03/07/2023

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.