James Suckling’s scores once again applaud our excellence
We are thrilled to share some news with you that fills us with pride and reaffirms what we have always stood for at Bodegas Corral: consistency, passion for the vineyard, and quality as a philosophy of life. A few weeks ago, we celebrated the 93 points that James Suckling awarded our Los Corrales de Moncalvillo Maturana Blanca wine, and today we are back with four new scores that reinforce our track record with strength and determination.
The numbers that inspire
These are the new ratings that Suckling has given to some of our wines in his latest guide:
- Don Jacobo Vendimia Seleccionada 2023: 90 points
- Don Jacobo Crianza 2022: 91 points
- Altos de Corral Single Estate Crianza 2021: 91 points
- Altos de Corral Single Estate Reserva 2019: 90 points
These are not just numbers on a chart: they are the result of a wine-making project based on respect for the vineyard, the excellence of our grapes, and the constant search for personality.
Getting to know these wines better
To truly appreciate what these scores mean, we want to introduce you to each of these wines, because behind each one there is a story, a terroir, and craftsmanship.
Don Jacobo Vendimia Seleccionada 2023
This wine is a 100% Tempranillo from Rioja Alta that spends six months in 225-liter American oak barrels. Its aging is subtle: the wood provides structure without overshadowing the fruit, resulting in a well-rounded wine with fine tannins and an elegant finish.
The nose offers hints of red fruit, spices, and light balsamic nuances, while the palate reveals a balanced texture and a clean finish. For us, those 90 points are recognition of the freshness and balance we strive for.
Don Jacobo Crianza 2022
The Don Jacobo range is a very personal symbol for us: our winery is located right on the Camino de Santiago, and with these wines we pay tribute to our history and the landscape that surrounds us.
This Crianza is produced using traditional methods, with careful aging to balance the structure without going overboard. The 91 points speak of maturity, well-integrated fruit, and harmonious wood.
Altos de Corral Single Estate Crianza 2021
This wine is very special. It comes from a single estate, located at an altitude of over 600 meters, which gives the grapes a particular freshness and slow ripening.
It is made from Tempranillo (90%) and Graciano (10%) grapes, aged for 12 months in new French oak barrels.
In the glass, it has an intense cherry color, aromas of blackberry, plum, scrubland, spices… even a mineral background reminiscent of the altitude of its vineyards. Its structure on the palate is firm, with ripe tannins and lively acidity, a serious but charming wine that scores 91 points according to Suckling.
Altos de Corral Single Estate Reserva 2019
This is the ultimate wine for aging: with 90 points, it proves that patience and terroir can create something profound and elegant.
It is made from organic Tempranillo (90%) and organic Graciano (10%).
It is aged for a long time: 24 months in 225-liter French oak barrels and then at least six months in the bottle.
Its nose reveals ripe black fruit, cocoa, leather, spices, and mineral nuances that evoke the altitude of the vineyard. On the palate, it is full-bodied and elegant, with ripe tannins, good acidity, and a long, precise finish. It is a wine with soul, a typical Rioja estate wine.
The philosophy behind recognition
These accolades do not come about by chance. At Bodegas Corral, we truly believe that the foundation of a great wine lies in the vineyard. We work with selected plots, many of which are organic, because we understand that cultivating with respect for the environment is not only an ethical commitment, but also a way to get the best out of the land.
Our vineyards in Rioja Alta, especially those located at higher altitudes, allow us to produce grapes with freshness, concentration, character, and aging potential that is then reflected in the bottle. It is slow, patient work, but enormously rewarding.
In addition, we advocate aging that does not overshadow the identity of the grape: reasonable barrels, well-managed times, and oak accompaniment that enhances without masking.
When James Suckling gives these wines 90 or 91 points, he is not only evaluating the final product, but the entire process: the vineyard, the fermentation, the barrels, the winemaker’s decisions, the bottling. For us, this recognition is a reflection of a consistent and committed winery policy.
Our gratitude is collective
We would like to take advantage of this good news to thank—and we say this in the royal plural—all of you who are part of this achievement: the team of grape pickers, the winemakers, those who select the barrels, those who bottle and label, the distributors, and the customers. But above all, to you, the wine lovers who have placed your trust in us, who open our bottles, who share our tastings, and who encourage us to keep improving.
This type of recognition fills us with energy to look to the future with enthusiasm. Because we know that this is not the time to stop: we want to continue exploring new plots, perfecting future vintages, and experimenting meticulously without sacrificing consistency.
Would you like to bring these wines to your table?
Os recordamos que todos estos vinos con nueva puntuación están disponibles en nuestra tienda online. Podéis acceder fácilmente desde nuestra Tienda Bodegas Corral para adquirirlos con total comodidad. Ahí encontraréis ofertas puntuales, packs seleccionados y la garantía de estar comprando vinos respaldados por prestigio y por nuestro compromiso.
A toast to what’s to come
We celebrate these scores, yes, but we do so with our sights set on what is yet to come. We are not satisfied. Each harvest is an opportunity to improve, to refine, to create wines that excite, that tell our story, that represent the altitude of our Rioja vineyards and the heartbeat of our winery.
We remain standing, with renewed enthusiasm, responsibility, and glasses ready for tomorrow’s challenges.
Cheers!