Javier San Pedro Rioja 'Cueva de Lobos' 2023

Javier San Pedro Rioja ‘Cueva de Lobos’ is a superb example of young vibrant Rioja made from 100% Tempranillo. The wine is all about soft and juicy red fruit flavours, dark strawberry, cherry and redcurrant. The grapes are sourced from Javier’s younger vines and the wine is matured for a short period in stainless steel rather than oak barrels. This allows the bright and attractive fruit to shine and results in a wine that is fresh, energetic and wonderful to drink.

I was introduced to Javier by our mutual friend Leon who makes, along with his wife Sara, the excellent Latido wines. He told me that I had to try these Rioja’s made by Javier and used every wine cliché under the sun to try and persuade me. “New Wave Rioja” “Best up and coming wine maker” “Terroir driven” “Modern interpretation of a classic” etc etc. Before I could escape, Javier was towering over me. He’s tall and athletic, not intimidating but instantly likeable and full to bursting point with another cliché “Passion” for his wines.

Javier was born into a winemaking family at Bodegas Vallobera, based in Laguardia in the Rioja Alavesa and learned from both his grandfather and father before making his first wine aged 17. In 2013 he moved away from his family’s traditional styles to create his own project, Bodegas Javier San Pedro Ortega. The Viuda Negra range focuses on old vineyard plots that have either been restored or replanted. It was clear from my first tasting that Javier was talented and his wines were as captivating as the man himself. They perfectly highlight the beauty and diversity of Rioja and show where the area is heading with a modern approach to terroir rather than age statements.