Straw, light yellow appearance. Minimal mousse. Subdued nose - lemon, earthy, mushroom. Palate offers a touch of sweetness, with some freshening acidity. Finishes a little short. Unique packaging!

From a traditional Bocksbeutel, a flattened bottle used for wine from Franconia at least since the early 18th century. Within the EU, it's a protected bottle shape, being used for wines from certain regions in Germany, Italy, Greece and Portugal.

Served more as a curio, and in shot glasses. Straw coloured, ripe apple, turnip? On the palate, mild acid, fruit sweet rather than any mineral depth, finishing with a herbal note.
So the fun of the evening has started...

Founded in 1647, Bodegas Julián Chivite is the oldest wine-producing dynasty in Spain; the winemaking tradition has been passed down through 11 generations of the Chivite family.

Cork. 13% a/v. Clear light strawberry colour. Strawberry nose of medium intensity, with hints of spice. Dry, light-medium bodied, unoaked, refreshingly fruity with low acid and low tannin. Drink it now.

Cork. 14% a/v. Tempranillo 100%. Purple colour. Nose of dark berries, herbal, perfumed. Suggestions of onion, and a vegetal note, but not in a bad way. On the palate it's fruit sweet, with deep, dark berries. Dry, medium bodied, elegant. The oak is integrated with medium acidity and tannins. Not particularly spicy or complex. Medium finish. Well balanced. Enjoyable Rioja. Drinking now.

Screwcap. 13.5% a/v. Individual barrel selection after 15 months in new and second use French oak. Deep purple colour. Shows typical varietal characters of deep, black berry fruit, plum, clove and cinnamon. Medium-full bodied, with a good fruit profile giving cherry and plum. Touch of 'Christmas pudding'. There's some spice, integrated oak flavours, medium tannins. The flavours are pure and clean indicating its new world origins. Drinking well now, but could easily age for the medium term.

Cork. 14% a/v. Tempranillo, Graciano and Mazuelo (aka Carinena or Carignan). Aged in American oak for 2.5 years, then a further 3 in bottle. Mid-purple colour. A leafy, forest-floor, mossy nose, with dark berries. A note of butter as well. There's sweet red and black fruit on the soft, creamy, medium-bodied palate. Low and rounded tannic profile, with integrated oak. Balanced with reasonable length. Drink now.

Cork. 14% a/v. Double decanted 2 hours. Fine sediment. Still a dark purple hue. Complex nose showing smoky charcuterie, pastry, dark chocolate, and an earthy savouriness. The palate follows the aromas, giving a savoury, spicy note to the black fruits, which are still partially evident. There's a mineral acidity backbone with mild residual tannins. It's well balanced and has a long finish. Could easily age further on the strength of this bottle.

Cork. 14%a/v. Cab Sauv 84%, Cab Fr 5.5%, Merlot 5.5%, PV 4%, Malbec 1%. 100% French oak treatment. Deep purple colour. What an expressive nose. Cassis, cedar, chocolate, vanilla, violets. There's plenty of oak on the medium-full palate, but it blends harmoniously with dark, silky textured fruits. The tannins are round and velvety, giving really good length. So well balanced. Delicious now, with great ageing potential.

Juan Carlos's 2012 vintage is a collection of six wines made from six unique garnacha vineyards, all at altitude and each around 100 years old. "These are historic vineyards, cultivated by more than three generations of heroic growers who decided to keep them despite unviable economics," Sancha says.

We have the same viticultural area, same variety – all organic, handpicked and destemmed – same vinification (fermentation in 500-litre barrels), same upbringing (11 months in French oak with regular rotations to maintain contact with the skins) and a single variable: terroir."

Grower: Ruben Olarte.
Cork. 14% a/v. Deep purple. Black and red fruit on the nose. A touch of spice and florals too. Medium bodied, elegant, restrained expression of red and black fruits mixed with subtle and well handled oak. Fine tannins lead to a decent length on the finish. Lovely. Could do with more power and complexity here though.

17% a/v. Dark mahogany. Intense nose of caramel, raisins, molasses, dark chocolate, cloves. Palate follows suit, with its heady mix of sweet flavours, balsamic notes and soft, luscious texture. Decent persistence on the finish.

17.5% a/v. Mid-brown colour. Nose and palate are not as intense or complex as the 1986 Don PX had beside it. Here we still get dried fruit aromas mixed with caramel. There's more sweetness on the palate, which also shows some heat. Needs a strong blue cheese, or ice-cream.