- New
-
-
-
G de Galoupet 2025, Château Galoupet
-
Deutz : Brut Classic
-
- Out-of-Stock
-
-
Eminente : Rhum Reserva 7 Years
YJAR 2022
Rioja - Red Wine -Yjar 2022 is one of the most ambitious wines of contemporary Rioja. Created by Telmo Rodríguez and Pablo Eguzkiza, it comes from an exceptionally precise selection of vineyards within the historic Remelluri estate in Labastida, Rioja Alavesa. Yjar deliberately moves away from a vision of Rioja defined primarily by ageing categories: its purpose is to express a specific place, its soils and altitude with the precision of a great terroir-driven wine.
Yjar 2022: tasting notes
Colour: deep, brilliant ruby red with violet hues.
Nose: complex and highly precise, combining blackberry, blackcurrant and black cherry with violet, Mediterranean herbs, spice and graphite. Mineral, balsamic and subtly smoky notes emerge with air.
Palate: deep and concentrated without feeling massive. Dark fruit is driven by remarkable freshness and very fine, chalky tannins. Powerful yet focused, the wine finishes long, mineral and spicy, with impressive definition.
A terroir wine from Remelluri
Yjar comes from approximately 3.8 hectares of vineyards surrounding the Remelluri estate in Labastida, at the foot of the Sierra de Toloño. The high-altitude vineyards grow on poor, predominantly limestone soils in an area where Atlantic and Mediterranean influences meet. These conditions encourage slow ripening and contribute to the wine's characteristic freshness.
Blend and the 2022 vintage
Yjar is produced from historic varieties found in the estate's old vineyards, principally Tempranillo, Graciano, Garnacha and Granegro. The hot, dry 2022 vintage required particularly rigorous selection. Altitude, limestone soils and precise vineyard work helped retain freshness and balance despite the heat, resulting in a concentrated yet remarkably focused wine.
Winemaking and maturation
The grapes are harvested by hand and vinified with minimal intervention to preserve the identity of the vineyards. Maturation takes place in foudres and barrels of different sizes, with restrained oak influence. Unlike the traditional Reserva or Gran Reserva model, ageing is not what defines Yjar: it is used to support rather than dominate the expression of its terroir.
Critic scores
Yjar 2022 received 98/100 from James Suckling and ranks among the highest-rated Rioja wines of the vintage. Critics particularly highlight its precision, freshness, tannin texture and ability to retain remarkable energy despite the warm conditions of 2022.
Food pairing, serving and cellaring
Serve Yjar 2022 at around 16-18°C with roast lamb, rib of beef, pigeon, game or mushroom-based dishes. Around two hours of aeration is recommended when young. Its concentration, acidity and tannic structure give it the potential to develop for several decades.
12bouteilles recommendation
Yjar is best approached as a great terroir-driven wine before being viewed as a traditional Rioja. The 2022 is particularly compelling: despite the warmth of the vintage, Telmo Rodríguez has preserved tension, fine tannins and freshness. It is a bottle for lovers of great Spanish wines who value origin and precision over sheer power or overt oak.
Most
Reviews
Wine Advocate
96+
€144.00
144.00€ /
bottle
Choose my packaging and quantities
Delivery starting November 2026
All our wines come directly from the producer and are stored in our cellars.
Product Details
YJAR 2022
Country:
Spain
Area:
Rioja
Producer:
Telmo Rodriguez and Friends
Vintage:
2022
Varietals:
Tempranillo, Garnacha, Graciano, Granegro and Rojal
Dress:
intense, of a black cherry color with violet reflections
Bouquet:
complex, balsamic and aromatic, hints of fruit, light toasted and oaky.
Palate:
sweet and full, concentrated tannins, round. Long, lingering finish
Alcoholic Volume:
15%
In cellar:
Up to 10 years
Food & Wine:
Red meat (Beef, Lamb...)
Serving:
Open and taste !
Temperature:
16°C-18°C
FAQ – Yjar 2022
What is Yjar and who makes it?
Yjar was created by Telmo Rodríguez and Pablo Eguzkiza from a selection of vineyards within the family-owned Remelluri estate in Labastida, Rioja Alavesa. The project aims to isolate the expression of a very specific terroir rather than produce a Rioja defined primarily by a traditional ageing category.
What is the difference between Yjar and Remelluri Reserva?
Both wines come from the Remelluri universe but follow different philosophies. Remelluri Reserva represents the estate more broadly through a blend of numerous vineyards. Yjar comes from a much smaller selection of vines and seeks a more precise, site-specific expression. Production is also considerably more limited.
Why is Yjar not presented as a Rioja Reserva or Gran Reserva?
Yjar prioritises origin rather than regulatory ageing time. Reserva and Gran Reserva traditionally classify Rioja wines partly according to how long they are matured before release. With Yjar, Telmo Rodríguez instead places vineyard, soil, altitude and vintage at the centre of the wine's identity.
Yjar 2022 or La Rioja Alta Gran Reserva 904: which should you choose?
They represent two very different interpretations of Rioja. Yjar favours a contemporary, terroir-driven approach, precise vineyard selection and restrained oak. Gran Reserva 904 represents the great traditional Rioja model, built around extended maturation and long development before release. The choice therefore depends largely on which vision of Rioja you prefer.
Can Yjar 2022 be compared with the great wines of Ribera del Duero?
Its concentration and ambition place Yjar among Spain's great red wines, making the comparison understandable, but its style is distinct. Yjar expresses the altitude and limestone soils of Rioja Alavesa with freshness, tension and floral character that set it apart from the generally richer and more powerful expressions associated with Ribera del Duero.
Can Yjar 2022 be enjoyed now?
Yes, although extended aeration is advisable for such a young wine. Its tannic structure and concentration suggest that it is primarily built for cellaring. To experience greater complexity and integration, we would favour several years in bottle rather than immediate consumption.
telmo-rodriguez-and-friends
Other wines and vintages available
YJAR 2022
Conditionnement:
Bottle (75cl)
Quantity
Product available for orders
Available in
- Bottle (75cl)
- 144.00€ / bottle