Benetakoa Goren Rioja
$56.99
Benetakoa Winery was founded in 1985 by Carlos Martínez de Cañas in Villabuena de Álava. Viticulture has been a centuries-old tradition in their family, and for several generations we have dedicated themselves to perfecting and learning from the land and the vine. In 1997 they expanded their facilities and moved to a new winery built in the upper part of Villabuena. They preserve the tradition and the artisan concept that was breathed in the first winery and bet on innovation as the basis of their wines. Since 2001, Gorka Martínez de Cañas, son of the winery’s founder, has taken charge of the family project.
Ortega Rioja Rosado
$24.99
Their story began with Quintín Ortega in 1986. A humble figure with some good ideas and the determination to carry them out, he decides to plant vines and start what is now the winery, led by his great-grandson, Carmelo Ortega. In the 90s, Carmelo established the winery headquarters in an old house that served as a winery for many years, now a site where an enotourism project is being developed to encourage tourism in the region. Their property covers approximately 700 hectares of scrubland, almond fields and vineyards, all of which are sheltered by the nearby mountains, which create climatic conditions that include a reduced risk of frost and a controlled level of humidity in the summer. This set of features and factors, together with the characteristics of the soil (pebbles, low organic matter), creates a unique grape-growing microcosm, which has allowed them to develop the “village wine” style they are looking for to define the wines of Tudelilla (the village where they are situated in the heart of the Rioja Baja region).. A blend of 90% Garnacha and 10% Viura, this wine has ripe and floral notes, with hints of tropical fruit (grapefruit, passion fruit and orange peel). Serve as an aperitif or cold dishes.
Ortega Rioja Young White
$22.99
Their story began with Quintín Ortega in 1986. A humble figure with some good ideas and the determination to carry them out, he decides to plant vines and start what is now the winery, led by his great-grandson, Carmelo Ortega. In the 90s, Carmelo established the winery headquarters in an old house that served as a winery for many years, now a site where an enotourism project is being developed to encourage tourism in the region. Their property covers approximately 700 hectares of scrubland, almond fields and vineyards, all of which are sheltered by the nearby mountains, which create climatic conditions that include a reduced risk of frost and a controlled level of humidity in the summer. This set of features and factors, together with the characteristics of the soil (pebbles, low organic matter), creates a unique grape-growing microcosm, which has allowed them to develop the “village wine” style they are looking for to define the wines of Tudelilla (the village where they are situated in the heart of the Rioja Baja region). This wine is a blend of 90% Viura, 5% Malvasía, 5% Garnacha Blanca. It's balanced and intriguing, with beautiful fruit and floral characteristics and an underlying acidity that brightens up the palate. Serve as an aperitif, or with light seafood.
Olivier Riviere Ganko Rioja
$79.99
Cognac-born consultant winemaker and viticulturist Olivier Rivière was lured to Spain in 2004 by Telmo Rodriguez to convert his vineyards to biodynamics. He ended up falling in love with the traditions and grapes of the country, and now farms 25 hectares of owned and contracted vineyards in Rioja Alta, Rioja Baja, Rioja Alavesa, and the up-and-coming DO of Arlanza. He is a terroirist at heart, with a focus on biodynamics honed by time working at Elian da Ros, Domaine de Chassorney, and Domaine Leroy.
Murrieta Rioja Reserva
$48.99
Egad, Ygay is well worth the trip to Rioja all from the comfort of your armchair. Mostly Tempranillo with the added touch of Garnacha and Mazuelo to add to the big, spicy nose revealing loads of cassis, licorice, and a hint of tobacco. Beautiful texture, outstanding purity, and medium to full body, this lovely Rioja can be enjoyed right now!
Valenciso Rioja Reserva
$62.99
"Modern delicious Rioja," according to Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, which gives it a wonderful 93 points! The review: "The 2006 Reserva has a classic, very pure bouquet of warm leather, dried herbs and dark berry fruit, and it offers scents of melted tar with continued aeration. The palate is very harmonious with succulent red cherries, mulberry and dried fig, with subtle white pepper notes sprinkled over the finish. This constitutes a worthy follow-up to the superb 2005 and will have the same propensity to age. Drink now-2025."
Finca de Ganuza Rioja Reserva
$92.99
Founded in 1989 and located in the centre of Samaniego, Álava, Remírez de Ganuza makes contemporary Rioja wines, from 80 hectares of estate owned vineyards. There are 70 individual vineyards made up of more than 200 plots across 9 municipalities in the foothills of Sierra Cantabria: Labastida, San Vicente de la Sonsierra, Ábalos, Samaniego, Leza, Elciego, Navaridas, Laguardia and Elvillar.
The've long been known as a winery that revolutionized some traditional methods in the area, introducing improvements both in the vineyard and in winemaking. Notably, this includes a system of separating the bunches of Tempranillo into two parts. The shoulders, with perfect phenolic ripeness, are used for wines with more ageing and aging potential, the Remírez de Ganuza Reserva and Gran Reserva.
Muga Rioja Reserva
$36.99
The red 2012 Reserva is always a blend of Tempranillo with some 20% Garnacha, 10% Graciano and 5% Mazuelo from the lower part of the valley of the Oja-Tirón river. 2012 saw good ripeness, and the wine shows it, but doesn't show any excess. The vinification is as classic as it gets: the grapes ferment with natural yeasts with a 'pied de cuve' and the wine matured in new barriques the first year; it was then transferred to well-seasoned barrels for a further year of upbringing. It still feels quite oaky with some smoky aromas and some notes of roasted sesame seeds. The palate is lush and round, with polished tannins. This is a textbook Rioja at a very good price for the quality it delivers. This wine should be readily available, as it's produced in good quantities, close to one million bottles, which for this quality is impressive. 91+ Robert Parker
Olivier Riviere Mirando Rioja Blanc
$124.99
Cognac-born consultant winemaker and viticulturist Olivier Rivière was lured to Spain in 2004 by Telmo Rodriguez to convert his vineyards to biodynamics. He ended up falling in love with the traditions and grapes of the country, and now farms 25 hectares of owned and contracted vineyards in Rioja Alta, Rioja Baja, Rioja Alavesa, and the up-and-coming DO of Arlanza. He served as a winemaker at Domaine Leroy in Burgundy and his wines show great elegance and power
Mirando al Sur comes from his own vineyards cultivated using organic principles in the village of Labastida. These are old vines aged over 50 years old and planted in gravel and pebble soils at more than 500 metres above sea level.