Torre de Oña is among the most exciting projects coming out of Rioja Alavesa – a sub-region that’s ‘home of some of Spain’s most creative winemakers’ (Decanter).
Their flagship red, Finca Martelo Reserva, is only released in exceptional years and the 2019 is elegant and expressive. It shows intense layers of red, blue and purple fruit along with nutmeg, tobacco and liquorice spice, underpinned by linear persistence and smoky minerality. ‘Very harmonious and balanced’, notes the Wine Advocate.
The range’s value offering is the Finca San Martín Crianza 2021. It delivers much in terms of structure, length and energy and is ‘the finest vintage to date!’ writes the Wine Advocate. Strawberry, juicy red plum, violets, charred orange peel, oak spice and a playful freshness are beautifully contrasted by fleshy, yet dry, grippy tannins.
Both wines are from vines grown at 600m to 650m above sea level and are aged in a combination of French and American oak. The Finca Martelo, from 60-year-old vines, is a blend of 95% Tempranillo, 5% Mazuelo, and a touch of Garnacha and Viura, while the Finca San Martín (from 20+ year-old vines) is 100% Tempranillo.
Torre de Oña bridges the gap between the very traditional and more modern styles of winemaking in Spain’s most famous wine region. These gems offer enticing immediate appeal that’s almost impossible to resist in the glass. But lay them down if you can, and they’ll age gracefully for the next 7-12 years.
Tasting Notes:
Torre de Oña Finca Martelo Reserva 2019
‘The 2019 Finca Martelo comes from property planted with a blend of 95% Tempranillo and 5% Mazuelo, Garnacha and Viura at 630 meters in altitude that they only bottle in very good or excellent years. The 2019 was picked starting October 15th, and the destemmed grapes were put through optical sorting, a five-day cold soak and then fermented in stainless steel and went through malolactic in new French and American oak barrels. The élevage was in 80% American and 20% French oak barrels and lasted for two years, during which time it was racked four times. 2019 feels like a very complete harvest for Martelo; the wine is very harmonious and balanced, with power and freshness, intensity and persistence. The palate is surprisingly fresh, medium-bodied and fine-boned, clean and elegant. 80,000 bottles produced. It was bottled in April 2022. 2024 – 2032.’ – Luis Gutiérrez, Wine Advocate, 94+/100
‘Elegance defines this richly expressive, silky Rioja from Torre de Oña’s 60-year-old vines. Complex and inviting, the nose is layered with red fruits, sweet spice and a touch of vanilla leading to notes of pastry, biscuit and liquorice, while the palate offers generous flavours of wild strawberry, cherry and redcurrant wrapped in silky tannins. Full-bodied yet remarkably fresh, this is a wine of great character and finesse. 2025-2038’ – Helena Nicklin, Decanter, 94/100
Torre de Oña Finca San Martín Crianza 2021
‘The 2021 Finca San Martín is a varietal Tempranillo from the younger vines. It fermented in stainless steel and matured in 60% American oak barrels and 40% second-use French oak barrels for 16 months, during which time it was racked three times. It’s a typical modern red from Rioja Alavesa with the depth and completeness of the year. It’s fleshy and fruit driven, ripe without excess at 14.5% alcohol, with very good freshness and balancing acidity, glossy tannins and a gentle mouthfeel. The wine has less impact from the oak and shows more of the vineyard and the zone. It’s very good value for money—and it’s the finest vintage to date! 250,000 bottles produced. It was bottled in May 2024. 2025-2030’ – Luis Gutiérrez, Wine Advocate, 92/100
‘The 2021 Crianza Finca San Martín from Rioja Alavesa aged for one year in French and American oak. A rich garnet-purple in hue, it offers aromas of raspberry, cherry and mild forest floor notes along with caramel and dulce de leche from the oak. Fruity and expressive with a delicate red-fruit-driven palate and gentle grip, this is a precise, appealing Rioja. 2025-2041’ – Joaquín Hidalgo, Vinous, 91/100
