Bodegas Roda 'Sela' Rioja, Spain 2023

Founded in 1987 by Mario Rotllant and Carmen Daurella — whose surnames form the estate's name — Bodegas Roda is one of the defining voices in modern Rioja. Established in Haro's celebrated Barrio de la Estación alongside the region's most storied historic bodegas, Roda set out to produce wines that were singular expressions of terroir rather than conventional Rioja archetypes. Under the long-tenured direction of Agustín Santolaya, the estate manages 120 hectares across approximately 20 vineyard blocks in Rioja Alta, 75 of which are estate-owned. Sela — named after a Scandinavian village where Mario Rotllant vacations — draws from the estate's youngest parcels, which, while not yet old enough to qualify for Roda's flagship bottlings, are fully capable of producing wines of genuine character and precision.

• Winemaker: Agustín Santolaya
• Farming: Sustainable viticulture. All vineyards farmed as bush vines (en vaso) with no irrigation. No chemically synthesized products used; cover crops and biological pest controls employed. Yields average approximately 30 hl/ha.
• Variety: 95% Tempranillo, 5% Garnacha
• Terroir: D.O.Ca. Rioja, Rioja Alta. Vineyards are located north of Haro at 450–600 meters elevation on clay-limestone soils with chalk substrata, low in nutrients. Bush vines averaging 15–30 years of age. The 2023 growing season followed an exceptionally dry 2022; depleted soil reserves and a rainless winter led to a weak budbreak and spring frost events. June rains of approximately 100mm provided relief but were accompanied by hail affecting 10–40% of fruit across the estate. Subsequent summer heat waves reached over 42°C before September rains allowed the harvest to complete.
• Vinification: Grapes are hand-harvested into 16kg crates and hand-sorted at the winery. Spontaneous alcoholic fermentation is followed by malolactic fermentation carried out in French oak vats. Natural stabilization; clarified with lyophilized egg white.
• Aging: 12 months in second-use French oak barrels.
• Tasting Notes: Medium ruby with a bright red rim. The nose leads with fresh cherry, raspberry, and red plum, with lightly integrated oak showing as cedar and faint spice. The palate is medium-bodied with lively acidity, silky tannins, and a fruit-forward mid-palate that carries through to a clean, persistent finish.
• Food Pairings: Grilled lamb chops, roasted chicken, jamón ibérico, mushroom-based pasta, and aged Manchego.
• Scores: 91 points, James Suckling (2023 vintage)