Ukan 'Senderos De Ukan' Rioja 2020

Senderos de Ukan shows a quiet assurance that feels rooted in Rioja yet clearly forward-looking. This is not a wine driven by gloss or nostalgia, but by careful work in old vineyards, restraint in the cellar and a belief that Rioja’s future lies in precision rather than sheer power.

Ukan is a family-run project based in Villabuena de Álava in the heart of Rioja Alavesa, where vineyards are fragmented, higher in elevation and highly expressive. Founded by the Eguren family, one of the key names in modern Rioja, Ukan focuses on honoring individual sites rather than chasing scale or fashion. Senderos, meaning “paths,” brings together multiple high-altitude parcels that are farmed sustainably, harvested by hand and vinified with minimal intervention to preserve freshness, tension and a clear sense of place.

The 2020 vintage opens with layered, quietly compelling aromatics: ripe red and black cherry, crushed plum, violet and rose petal, followed by hints of cocoa powder, sweet spice and a cool mineral note that recalls limestone dust. On the palate, the wine is medium bodied and poised. Silky, fine-grained tannins frame vibrant acidity, while a savory, earthy undertone carries the finish long and clean. Oak is present but restrained, subtly supporting the wine.

Critics have taken notice. Tim Atkin MW awarded Senderos de Ukan 2020 93 points for its precision and energy, while James Suckling and Wine Advocate have highlighted its balance, texture and food-friendly style. The appeal, though, goes beyond the numbers; this is a thoughtful, site-driven Rioja that gets every detail right.

Senderos de Ukan is very much a table wine in the best sense: it shines with lamb and mushrooms, roasted peppers in olive oil, slow-cooked stews and unhurried meals. It drinks beautifully now with a short decant and has the structure and harmony to evolve well over the next decade.