Ramon Bilbao, Rioja Crianza MAGNUM

The Magnum version of this cracking wine with whom we have become very good friends. Made from 100% Tempranillo grapes grown in vineyards all over Rioja's three districts, it is a very authentic version of the style, matured in American oak barrels.

Full of over-ripe strawberry and vanilla, this is much more than you'd expect to get from a wine at this quality level and price.

And this bottle contains one and a half litres of the stuff.

Ramon Bilbao have been making wines in Rioja since the 1920s, but it is only in the last decade or so that they have really come to international critical prominence, winning awards all over the globe for their extremely high quality wine-making and the wonderful balance in their wines.

This wine in particular has become a customer favourite and the reasons are abundantly clear when you try it. Full and smooth with more oak than you get from many Reservas (but it is integrated to become like caramel and vanilla, not burnt toast and ashes...) and indeed, the quality feels very Reserva-like, but at five tot ten quid less than a comparable quality bottle. It's a hugely impressive winemaking feat...