Torre de Ona Fina San Martin Rioja Crianza 2021
The Wine
Made from 100% Tempranillo, sourced from the Vallecilla, Camino de Laguardia, and Finca San Martín vineyards at 600 meters altitude on limestone-rich soil. Fermented in tank, then aged for 16 months in 60% new, house-coopered American oak barrels and 40% French oak barrels and manually racked three times during elevage.
91 Pts Robert Parker's Wine Advocate 'The 2021 Finca San Mart¡n is a varietal Tempranillo from the younger vines. It fermented in stainless steel and matured in 60% American oak barrels and 40% second-use French oak barrels for 16 months, during which time it was racked three times. It's a typical modern red from Rioja Alavesa with the depth and completeness of the year. It's fleshy and fruit driven, ripe without excess at 14.5% alcohol, with very good freshness and balancing acidity, glossy tannins and a gentle mouthfeel. The wine has less impact from the oak and shows more of the vineyard and the zone. It's very good value for money‡and it's the finest vintage to date! 250,000 bottles produced. It was bottled in May 2024.'
91 Pts James Suckling 'Elegant vanilla, spices, red and black plums, red cherries and a smoky touch. Very fine-grained, creamy tannins. Quite a long, pleasurable Rioja crianza that's appealing now. Drink now or hold.'
91 Pts Tim Aiken MW 'Made in what Julio calls the "semi-Atlantic" 2021 vintage, this is a suitably refreshing and well-structured cuvee of Tempranillo and 2% Mazuelo from four parcels on the Torre de Ona estate. Mineral, focused and well-balanced, it has bramble, red cherry and pomegranate flavours and nicely understated American and 40% French oak. 2026-2032.'
The Details
Variety - Tempranillo
Country - Spain
Region - Rioja
Extra - Cork
Year - 2021
Volume - 750ml
About the Wine Maker 
Torre de Ona was founded in 1987 by Leandro Vazquez in the small hamlet of Paganos, just outside Laguardia in Rioja Alavesa. For over three decades, it’s been a standout example of the 'new' Rioja—a modest, chateau-style estate growing all its own grapes, each wine reflecting its unique origin from vineyard to bottle. In 1995, Vazquez sold 45 hectares of vineyards (some planted in the 1960s), along with the winery and country house, to La Rioja Alta S.A., the iconic traditionalist producer based in Haro in the heart of Rioja Alta.
The historic firm invested heavily in soil research, oak trials, and acquiring more old vines. Since 2005, their celebrated head winemaker, Julio Saenz, has overseen all Torre de Ona wines. His lineup starts with the vibrant and approachable Crianza, Finca San Martín, packed with Tempranillo character. Since 2014, he’s also crafted the acclaimed Reserva, Finca Martelo, from select parcels of the oldest vines, blended with a touch of other local varieties.
Always evolving, the estate has shifted from French oak to American and Caucasian, often in larger formats, to fine-tune its modern-classic style. They’re also adapting to climate change by acquiring high-altitude old vineyards in Elvillar and Kripan and replanting using a unique contour-line approach. Through it all, Torre de Ona continues to deliver authentic, high-quality, and great-value Rioja from Alavesa.
