Award-winning Rioja wines: Wine Enthusiast’s new ratings underscore the essence of Bodegas Corral
Talking about wine means talking about origin, time, and emotion. But it also means talking about recognition. In the international wine world, few publications wield as much influence as Wine Enthusiast, one of the world’s most prestigious specialized magazines and platforms. Its ratings are followed by professionals, distributors, sommeliers, and enthusiasts across every continent, making them a key benchmark for assessing a wine’s quality and character.
That is why receiving new high scores from Wine Enthusiast means much more to us than just a number. It is confirmation that the philosophy that has guided Bodegas Corral since 1898 continues to hold true today: respect for origin, commitment to quality, and a deep connection to the winemaking tradition of Rioja.
In this latest international tasting, our wines have been recognized with excellent ratings:
- 94 points for Don Jacobo Gran Reserva 2017
- 92 points for Los Corrales de Moncalvillo Maturana Tinta
- 92 points for Los Corrales de Moncalvillo Maturana Blanca
- 91 points and a Best Buy award for Don Jacobo Reserva
- Best Buy award for Don Jacobo Crianza
A collection of accolades that inspires us to continue working with the same passion that has guided every harvest, every aging process, and every bottle produced in our winery.
What do Wine Enthusiast’s ratings mean?
Wine Enthusiast’s rating system is based on a scale of 80 to 100 points, and wines scoring 90 points or higher are classified as “outstanding.” These ratings are determined through blind tastings conducted by international experts who evaluate aspects such as balance, aromatic complexity, aging potential, varietal expression, and the wine’s personality.
In addition, Wine Enthusiast awards special mentions such as “Best Buy,” a distinction particularly valued because it recognizes wines offering exceptional value for money. In other words, wines capable of delivering an experience far exceeding what their price range might suggest.
In an increasingly competitive global market, appearing in these rankings provides an international showcase for wineries and a guarantee of trust for those seeking to discover wines with their own distinct identity.
Don Jacobo Gran Reserva 2017: the liquid memory of our history
With 94 points, the Don Jacobo Gran Reserva 2017 is our highest-rated wine in this edition. And, in a way, it embodies the most classic and profound essence of our winery.
Don Jacobo wines were created as a tribute to the unique setting of Bodegas Corral, located along the French Way of St. James—a place where cultures, histories, and travelers have crossed paths for centuries. This Gran Reserva is precisely that: a leisurely journey through time.
Made exclusively from Tempranillo, it spends 36 months in French and American oak barrels and a minimum of 12 additional months in the bottle. The result is an elegant and complex wine, deep garnet in color with brick-red highlights, offering aromas of ripe fruit in liqueur, fine leather, tobacco, sweet spices, and delicate balsamic notes.
On the palate, it is silky, deep, and harmonious, with perfectly polished tannins and a long finish that lingers like a memorable conversation after a great dinner.
It is one of those wines that doesn’t need to raise its voice. Its elegance speaks for itself.
Los Corrales de Moncalvillo Maturana Tinta: Reclaiming the Past to Reimagine the Future
The revival of historic grape varieties is part of our identity. And within that commitment, the Los Corrales de Moncalvillo range holds a very special place.
With 92 points, Los Corrales de Moncalvillo Maturana Tinta confirms the enormous potential of a unique variety: Maturana Tinta, traditionally known as “Navarretana.”
Considered by many to be “Rioja’s Cabernet Sauvignon” due to its intensity, structure, and aging potential, this historic grape produces wines with great personality and a distinctive character.
After a brief six-month aging in French oak barrels, this wine displays an expressive nose with notes of wild blackberry, black pepper, violets, and earthy, spicy hints. On the palate, it is vibrant, juicy, and full of energy, with lively, perfectly integrated tannins.
It is a wine that represents a less conventional Rioja—one that is bolder and more contemporary, yet deeply connected to its roots.
Los Corrales de Moncalvillo Maturana Blanca: the elegance of a rediscovered rarity
Also scoring 92 points, Los Corrales de Moncalvillo Maturana Blanca proves that lesser-known grape varieties can produce surprising wines when cultivated with patience and sensitivity.
The Maturana Blanca had practically disappeared from Rioja for decades. Bringing it back has been an exercise in research, viticulture, and respect for the varietal heritage of our land.
The wine spends six months in new French oak barrels with lees contact, gaining complexity and texture without losing freshness. Aromatically, it features white flowers, citrus peel, fresh herbs, and delicate hints of almond.
On the palate, it is vibrant and enveloping, with lively acidity and a slight creaminess that lends breadth and persistence.
It is a gastronomic white—elegant and distinctive—capable of surprising even those who believe they have already tasted every possible profile of Rioja.
Don Jacobo Reserva: Rioja tradition with a Best Buy
Don Jacobo Reserva has received 91 points and the Best Buy distinction, an accolade that highlights something fundamental to us: offering wines of exceptional quality that are both moving and accessible.
Sourced from vineyards over 50 years old, trained in the bush method and harvested by hand, this Reserva spends 24 months in oak barrels and a minimum of six months in the bottle.
The result is a full-bodied, elegant, and serene wine, revealing layers of ripe black fruit, plum compote, sweet spices, and delicate roasted notes. On the palate, it is balanced and enveloping, with a long, refined finish.
It is the classic expression of Rioja, defined by balance, calm, and authenticity.
Don Jacobo Crianza: The Everyday Essence of Rioja
The Best Buy award won by Don Jacobo Crianza confirms that an affordable wine can also convey its origin, personality, and quality.
Made from Tempranillo and Garnacha grapes grown in organic vineyards on the slopes of Moncalvillo, this Crianza reflects an honest and respectful approach to winemaking.
Its 12 months of barrel aging add complexity without masking the fruit. On the nose, there are notes of fresh fruit, cocoa, delicate spices, and subtle toasty aromas. On the palate, it is balanced, fresh, and approachable, with soft tannins and a lingering finish that invites you to continue sharing the table.
It is, perhaps, one of the wines that best encapsulates our philosophy: tradition, enjoyment, and authenticity without artifice.
A shared recognition
These ratings belong to our wines, but also to everyone who is part of Bodegas Corral. Every winegrower, every member of the technical team, every person who works in the winery, and every professional who promotes our wines around the world is part of this recognition.
Because wine is never the work of a single hand. It is the result of many stories intersecting, just as happens every day along the Camino de Santiago, which has accompanied our winery for over a century.
And, above all, these scores are also for those who continue to trust us and enjoy our wines in every corner of the world. They are the ones who encourage us to keep looking toward the future without ever losing sight of our roots.