2018 Yjar by Remelluri Rioja

Winemaker Notes: The inaugural 2017 vintage of Yjar is the most hotly anticipated wine of Fall 2021. Described by critics like James Suckling as “a Rioja stunner,” and Jane Anson as, “a cult wine in the making,” Yjar definitely has people talking. At Laguna Cellar, we’ve always wanted to bring on a premium Rioja but were waiting for just the right wine to introduce to our clientele. Wine critic Jane Anson put it best when she recommended Yjar as a “must buy” of 2021 and we couldn’t help but pay attention to this producer that is forcing the whole world to stop and take notice of one of Spain’s most prestigious regions. Yjar is simply groundbreaking. It is the first Rioja wine to be distributed through La Place de Bordeaux and is building a long awaited viticultural connection between France and Spain. A passion project of the legendary Spanish winemaker Telmo Rodríguez of the iconic Rioja producer Remelluri, Yjar hosts a promising future as a wine that could be a true icon from this exalted region.

Yjar has a distinctive history that dates back to the 1400s. The vineyards are located at the foothills of Sierra de Toloño, where some of the highest altitude vineyards are planted at a stunning 600-800 meters above sea level. The property was initially a sanctuary that was managed by Hieronymite Monks in the 1400s. They tended to the land for several years but eventually abandoned the property. It was subsequently acquired by the Divisia de Nuestra Señora de los Angeles de Toloño, a cooperative of sorts who managed the vineyards and farm for five centuries. The property was once again abandoned in the 1800s after a fire in the Monastery, and it sat uninhabited until the 1960s. Eventually it was purchased by a Basque family who spent 50 years rehabilitating the vineyards and the estate. Telmo Rodríguez took interest in the 3.8 hectare estate about ten years ago, and that is when Yjar’s trajectory started to shift in an exciting direction. Blend: 85% Tempranillo, 10% Garnacha, 5% Graciano

CRITICAL ACCLAIM


James Suckling - "Such a deep yet complex and sophisticated nose, showing discretion, perfume and finesse. A hint of violet extract to the black cherries, crushed blueberries and cocoa powder aromas, together with Spanish cigars that slowly evolve to truffle, black pepper, incense and freshly chopped herbs. Juicy, yet really composed and dry, with medium to full body and abundant, immaculately fine-grained tannins that unwind evenly on the palate. A style that is restrainedly plush and refined, showing superb precision, cohesion and length, when you give it enough time in your glass. If Las Beatas is the fine Burgundy, then this would be Telmo Rodriguez’s Rioja answer to world-class Bordeaux."


Decanter - "The second 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 made from a massal selection of Tempranillo, Graciano, Garnacha, Granegro and Rojal. Heady and seductive nose, full and ripe, darkly fruited with a sweet vanilla caramel tone. Full, round and mouthfilling, this is gorgeous. It's generous so you get lots of flavour in the mouth, and the tannins are present, just fleshy and plump yet this retains a sense of style and grace. It's bold and powerful no doubt with clear concentration but stops short of being too much. Sweet, salty, dark fruited with chew and grip, all presented with such detail. You can feel a sense of sculpting, it has muscles and sinew, pulsing energy and a vitality that is thrilling and nicely counters the ripe fruit aspects. I like the clarity to the finish, it really leaves you wanting more. Characterful and contemplative."


Robert Parker's Wine Advocate - "The second vintage of the top-of-the-range 2018 Yjar was produced with Tempranillo, Garnacha, Graciano and other grapes from selected plots from Remelluri. It has 14.6% alcohol and a pH of 3.45. This has a more modern profile than the other wines from Remelluri, with more sophisticated tannins, a wine that is different, ripe and powerful, with the depth of the Remelluri wines. It's spicy and peppery, long and chewy with a long finish marked by the limestone from the soils. Rating: 96+"