Bodegas Martinez Cepas Antiguas Rioja

Bodegas Martinez Cepas Antiguas Rioja is an old-vine Tempranillo from Rioja Alta, bottled at 13.5% ABV in a standard 750ml format. Sourced from head-pruned vines ranging from 40 to 100 years of age at Bodegas Martínez Corta in Uruñuela, this expression stands apart from most entry-level Rioja by emphasizing pure fruit character with little to no oak influence — a deliberate contrast to the heavily oaked style the region is often known for.

Quick Facts: ABV: 13.5%  |  Origin: Rioja Alta, Spain  |  Old-Vine Tempranillo  |  Producer: Bodegas Martínez Corta

Production & Heritage

Bodegas Martínez Corta operates from a gravity-flow bodega in Uruñuela, a village situated in the western reaches of Rioja Alta — a sub-region prized for its higher altitude and Atlantic-influenced climate. The "Cepas Antiguas" bottling draws from old, head-pruned (en vaso) Tempranillo vines, a traditional training method that naturally limits yields and concentrates flavor. Unlike many Rioja wines that rely on extended barrel aging, this expression sees minimal oak contact, allowing the fruit and terroir of those ancient vines to remain front and center.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: A bright, inviting nose opens with ripe blueberry and red cherry before deepening into roasted plum. Underneath, subtle layers of cinnamon, clove, and a whisper of vanilla emerge as the wine opens in the glass.

Taste: The entry is soft and generous, led by cassis and dark plum that coat the palate. Mid-palate, savory elements develop alongside warm baking spice, while pronounced but well-integrated tannins provide structure. The overall impression is rich and velvety, with more concentration than you might expect from a wine at this level.

Finish: Medium in length with a refreshing lift that keeps the dark fruit from turning heavy. Lingering notes of cinnamon and subtle earthiness close things out cleanly.

How to Drink Cepas Antiguas

This wine is best served at cellar temperature, around 60–64°F, and benefits from 15–20 minutes of breathing time to let the fruit fully unfold. Its fruit-forward, low-oak profile also makes it a versatile option for food-friendly cocktails and wine-based drinks. A classic Kalimotxo (red wine and cola) works surprisingly well with an old-vine Tempranillo due to its dark fruit backbone. A Tinto de Verano — red wine with lemon soda — highlights the wine's natural freshness for warm-weather drinking. For a more refined serve, use it in a Red Wine Sangria with stone fruit and cinnamon sticks, which amplifies the spice notes already present in the glass.

Best For

• Weeknight dinners where you want something more interesting than a generic table wine
• Introducing someone to Rioja who prefers fruit-driven reds over heavily oaked styles
• Spanish-themed dinner parties built around tapas and grilled meats
• Building a case of everyday wines with genuine character and provenance

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Cepas Antiguas taste like? It delivers ripe blueberry, cassis, and roasted plum flavors layered with warm cinnamon and clove spice. The tannins are pronounced but the overall texture is soft and velvety, finishing with a refreshing lift.

How does Cepas Antiguas compare to CUNE Crianza Rioja? Both hail from Rioja Alta, but they represent fundamentally different winemaking philosophies — CUNE Crianza sees 12 months in American and French oak, giving it a more traditional vanilla-and-toast character, while Cepas Antiguas relies on old-vine concentration with minimal oak, resulting in a purer fruit expression. Cepas Antiguas tends to drink rounder and more immediately fruit-forward.

Is Cepas Antiguas good for everyday sipping? Absolutely — its approachable tannins and generous fruit make it an easy wine to open on any given evening without requiring extended decanting or a special occasion to justify it.

Where is Cepas Antiguas made? It is produced by Bodegas Martínez Corta in the village of Uruñuela, located in the Rioja Alta sub-region of northern Spain. Rioja Alta sits at higher elevation with Atlantic climate influence, which tends to produce wines with bright acidity and aromatic complexity.

What foods pair well with Cepas Antiguas? Grilled lamb chops benefit from the wine's dark fruit and spice; chorizo and manchego tapas echo its savory warmth; slow-braised short ribs match its velvety texture; roasted red pepper dishes complement its ripe berry notes; and semi-cured sheep's milk cheese bridges the wine's fruit and tannin beautifully.

What sizes does Cepas Antiguas come in? The standard release is available in a 750ml bottle.

Is Cepas Antiguas worth the price? It positions firmly in the value tier for Rioja, yet the old-vine sourcing (40–100 year-old vines) and gravity-flow winemaking deliver a level of concentration and complexity that punches well above what you'd typically find at this price point.

Why Cepas Antiguas?

The real draw here is the vine age. Fruit from 40- to 100-year-old, head-pruned Tempranillo vines naturally yields more concentrated, expressive wine than younger plantings — and that character comes through clearly in the glass. By keeping oak influence to a minimum, Bodegas Martínez Corta lets that old-vine intensity speak for itself, which is a bold choice in a region where barrel-aged designations (Crianza, Reserva, Gran Reserva) dominate the conversation. The gravity-flow bodega further protects the fruit by reducing the need for mechanical pumping during production. For drinkers who want authentic Rioja Alta Tempranillo without the heavy vanillin veneer, this is one of the more honest expressions in its price range.