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date/time
Thu, 7:00AM
clear sky
8.1°C
ENE 11mph
clear sky
8.1°C
ENE 11mph
 | Sunrise | 4:36AM |
| Sunset | 7:39PM |  |
Nathan Lane
Wine Correspondent
P.ublished 28th April 2026
lifestyle
A Discounted Rioja That’s Worth A Look
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Windrops is not without its marketing gloss, but there is a sense that the wines themselves are doing the heavy lifting, and the delivery, at least in this instance, was straightforward and uneventful, which is precisely what you want.
That sense of value comes into focus with the Finca Balzarra Rioja Reserva 2018. At £11 a bottle, including delivery, against a more typical online price nearer £50, it sits firmly in the category of “worth a look”, if not outright scepticism at the claimed discount.
In the glass, it presents as a fairly classic Rioja Reserva. The nose opens with black fruit and bramble, layered with a distinct forest floor note that gives it a touch of rusticity. There are also the expected hints of cedar and a light smokiness from oak ageing.
On the palate, it is smooth and well-balanced, with a medium to full body. Ripe dark fruit leads, shifting towards prunes, with mellow oak bringing in touches of vanilla. The tannins are present and give structure, but they are not aggressive, allowing the wine to remain approachable. The finish is drier, with tobacco notes coming through clearly, leaving a gently savoury impression.
At the price paid, it is undeniably good value. Whether it truly reflects a £50 bottle is another matter, but as an accessible, well-made Rioja Reserva, it does exactly what it needs to do.
https://campfirepr.com/