Tim Atkins Top 15 Spanish wines

The wines for this report were nearly all tasted in Logroño over a period of a week in May 2024. The exceptions were those from the Sierra de Salamanca, sampled by Tim in the region in April. They worked as a team of four or five, welcoming the technical input that came from tasting with two of Spain’s best winemakers, Ana Martín and David González. Neither was allowed to score a wine in which they have an interest.

All in all, they tasted 648 wines. In this mini report, they have concentrated on providing tasting notes for the 205 wines that scored 90 points or more, although all of the brands submitted are listed in the A-Z. These were divided between

reds (108 wines), whites (75), rosés (8), sweet wines (4), sparkling wines (7) and fortifieds (3). Their choices truly illustrate the diversity as well as the quality of the current Spanish wine scene.

In the notes, we’ve suggested a drinking window for each wine and, where appropriate, provided its varietal make up.

Here a the wine we list on exportspain.co.uk that Tim Atkins choose in the top 15 or above 90 points:

Bodegas Enguera Sueño de Megala 2020 (red)

Levante. Valencia. 14.5%

Mediterranean to its core but surprisingly made from Marselan, somewhat of an interloper in Spain. Complex and expressive with aromas of orange, peach syrup, sage and lavender, this is a seriously layered wine. It was aged for 15 months in French oak with a further three years in bottle before release resulting in silky, well managed tannins and a rounded palate. This has great potential to age but is highly drinkable now. 2024 - 2030

 Bodegas Enguera Megala 2021 (red)

Levante. Valencia. 14.5%

This unusual blend of 60% Tempranillo, 20% Monastrell and 20% Marselan comes from the producer’s Casa Corones vineyard in Fontanars dels Alforins. The wine has a wonderful Mediterranean character with black olive tapenade, herbal notes and a meaty, iodine palate. A subtle use of oak – the wine spends 12 months in used French oak – creates an intense yet seamless cuvée. 2024 - 2028

Bodegas Enguera Blanc d’Enguera Arroyo 2021 (white)

Levante. Valencia. 12.5%

Bodegas Enguera has produced an original white with plenty of character from Fontanars dels Alforins. This is predominantly indigenous Verdil (70%) with equal parts Chardonnay, Viognier and Sauvignon Blanc. The nose is quite exotic, offering chamomile, green tea and lemongrass aromas. Fermentation and a short passage of four months in French oak brings just a little creaminess to the palate which is otherwise stony and steely fresh. 2024 - 2027

*Note that Blanc d'Enguera Arroyo is a new launch from Bodegas enguera the link to product is Blanc d'enguera Original.