Dark mushrooms, spices and leather with cedar and black plums. Ripe yet juicy with plenty of blackberries and a twist of citrus and vanilla. Medium- to full-bodied with dusty tannins and a very lengthy finish. Pretty traditional and linear, this Rioja is excellent to drink now but will benefit from extra time in bottle. Drink or hold.
94 points, Zekun Shuai, James Suckling (Jul 2025)
Classic in style, this has wonderful balsamic, fine-grained oak with fresh red berry fruit and woody spice. It is well balanced and poised with appealing traditional Rioja Reserva character. The fruit for Marqués de Riscal wines is sourced from vineyards, all organic with chalky clay soils, over a wide area of 1,500ha across Rioja Alavesa, encompassing Elciego and neighbouring villages such as Leza, Laguardia and Villabuena. XR is a tirbute to the producer's previous master winemakers and is named for the chalk mark made on barrels selected for their special characteristics. It blends Tempranillo with 5% Graciano, and the 2021 was aged for 26 months in American oak barrels.
94 points, Beth Willard, Decanter (Mar 2025)
An ode to blending, the 2021 XR by Marques de Riscal Reserva is Tempranillo and Graciano made in a fruity, modern style, with sweet tannins and 25 months of American oak aging. Dark cherry, vanilla, and a rich dusting of cocoa powder give it a lustiness across layers of full-bodied concentration and decadence. Ready to enjoy, it will remain enjoyable another 10-12 years.
93 points, Virginie Boone, Decanter (Nov 2025)
Classic and focused with dark, layered flavors, this XR Reserva captures a deeper tone of Tempranillo with a body of black fruits, wet tobacco, spiced cocoa, and a drop of pine resin. Flavor fills the mouth while the wine maintains restraint with a medium body and plenty of length. Melting tannins bring persistence and the potential to enjoy after several more years in cellar.
93 points, Elaine Chukan Brown, Wine Enthusiast (May 2026)
A structured version, with sculpted tannins wrapped in a fleshy range of coulised black cherry and black raspberry fruit, plus accents of candied violet, fennel seed, milled pepper and cured tobacco. Harmonious, this expands nicely on the palate and through the spiced finish. Drink now through 2040. 16,667 cases made, 2,250 cases imported.
92 points, Alison Napjus, Wine Spectator (Feb 2026)
Top Quality Store
