Produced by Bodegas Roda in Rioja Alta, Sela represents the estate’s most youthful and approachable expression of Tempranillo, while remaining firmly rooted in the same philosophy that has made the winery one of modern Rioja’s benchmark producers. Founded in the late 1980s in Haro, Roda built its reputation on the careful selection of old bush-trained vineyards and a commitment to expressing the diversity of Rioja’s terroirs rather than pursuing a heavily oak-driven style. Sela is sourced from relatively younger estate-managed vines, typically between 15 and 30 years of age, planted on the limestone and clay-limestone soils of Rioja Alta. Sustainable viticulture, low yields and meticulous parcel selection ensure that even the estate’s earliest-drinking wine reflects the precision and balance for which Roda is known. Made predominantly from Tempranillo with a small proportion of Graciano and Garnacha, the wine is fermented with great care and aged in French oak barrels for a shorter period than the estate’s Reserva wines, preserving the vibrancy and purity of the fruit. The result is a Rioja that emphasises freshness and immediacy without sacrificing structure. Aromas of red cherry, raspberry and wild blackberry are layered with hints of violet, cocoa, sweet spice and Mediterranean herbs. The palate is supple and energetic, with polished tannins, bright acidity and a silky texture that makes the wine highly accessible from an early stage. Elegant and fruit-driven, yet unmistakably Rioja in character, Sela offers a contemporary interpretation of the region and is an excellent introduction to the distinctive style of Bodegas Roda.
