Some current favourite riojas

I tasted more than 50 riojas currently available recently, and was pretty disappointed with the results, as well as being overwhelmed by the inconsistency of styles (see What is rioja?). These were my favourite wines of the tasting but they too vary in style. I've tried to signal which so that those who are still trying to track down traditional warm, cuddly, vanilla- and strawberry-scented riojas can identify them. I have listed the white wine first and then the reds in ascending price order.

Allende Blanco 2000

£11.60 Morris & Verdin, La Réserve, Great Gaddesden Wine

Allende is a...