2023 Sierra de Tolono La Dula Rioja Garnacha

Sierra de Tolono is the project of Sandra Bravo, who returned to her native Rioja in 2012 after working harvests abroad. She farms high-altitude vineyards in Rioja Alavesa organically, works with minimal intervention in the cellar, and has been quietly building a reputation as one of the region's more interesting voices. Tim Atkin named her Young Winemaker of the Year in 2019.

La Dula comes from vineyards at over 650 metres in Rivas de Tereso. The fruit is fermented in 300-litre clay amphorae and matured across eight months in a combination of foudres and amphora. It comes in at 13.5% alcohol, which is notably low for Garnacha, and only 6,500 bottles are made.

Violet, rose, wild thyme, laurel and Mediterranean herbs on the nose, then sappy raspberry, black cherry and real minerality on a silky, agile palate. Fine-grained tannins, lively acidity and a long, precise finish.

Vinous describes it as "poised between the ethereal and the powerful" - it's a cracking Garnacha from a producer to watch.

96 points
"In the space of just six vintages, this superb Garnacha has developed a world-wide following."
- Tim Atkin (2025 Rioja Report)