Red Wine

Graciano

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Thrilled to be able to offer my thoughts on this special wine. Lunch with the full current release set from La Rioja Alta was thrilling. The wines are a demonstration of respect for the past and judicious use of modern technology combined with an approach that offer a style reminiscent of a refreshed classic. No fads here!The Ardanza is a ridiculous value. Coming on 10 years old. This is very good. The harmony and grape first tannin with layering of very subtle oak that wraps rather than in
$62
$59ea in any 3+
$56ea in any 6+
Building in seriousness over the two playful entry level wines.  The tannin profile much longer with a little more depth. More development and complexity shows in an earthy and savoury profile. This will build with a little time. A little spice and a delicate layer of well weighted oak at play.The 2022 Finca de Los Locos is slightly riper than the 2021, with 14% alcohol and a rounder mouthfeel. It matured in 3,500-liter oak vats for one year. It feels young and primary but surprisingly
$75
$72ea in any 3+
$69ea in any 6+
The 2012 Viña Tondonia Reserva comes from a very dry year, with 25% less rain than the average (at the time), resulting in lower yields of very healthy grapes that delivered wines with nice balance between alcohol and polyphenols, making it very apt for the aging in barrel. It had a slightly longer élevage in barrel, six years. The wine is aromatic with a developed profile, spicy and tertiary (forest floor, a touch of brick dust and iodine), complex and nuanced. The palate is full and round, w
$80
$76ea in any 3+
$72ea in any 6+
The 2013 Reserva Viña Tondonia is a blend of 70% Tempranillo, 20% Garnacha and 10% Graciano and Mazuelo, grown in the calcareous soils of the Tondonia meander in Rioja Alta. Aged extensively in American oak, it offers restrained black fruit, wild herbs, balsamic hints and sweet spices with gentle cedar and vanilla notes. Medium-bodied with chalky grip and a layered, tertiary finish, this is a benchmark classic-refined, enduring and unmistakably Tondonia. Tasted May 2025 Drink 2025-2055
$81
$77ea in any 3+
$73ea in any 6+

Bodegas Urbina Reserva Especial 2006

Red Blend | Spain, Alta

Well, here's something a little bit tasty. 17+ year old Rioja and in fine form. Access to gear with a little age on it is a treat! Urbina Reserva Especial 2006 is one of those wines that you can just nuzzle into, calming, reassuring, delicious.Plush, luscious, super fine, long tannins wrap a core of vibrant, ripe fruit layered with savoury, earthy, truffles and tea. A saline lick matching fine acid to give us a fresh, thirst-quenching wine. The complexity and secondary development here offer
$93
$89ea in any 3+
$85ea in any 6+
Urbina's 2004 Gran Reserva shows excellent development. One of those wines that requires some patience in the glass, building freshness with the passing of time. At the core fresh vibrant fruit and zippy acidity are at play. A little reduction blows of to reveal wonderful savoury flavours and an excellent mouthfeel with playful grip. A little sappiness and wild edge adding complexity.Loads of fun to be had here!Deep garnet. Aromas of ripe red berries, cherry pit and succulent herbs a
$140
$135ea in any 3+
$130ea in any 6+
The first of the La Rioja Alta wines to receive Gran Reserva status. With last year's release, I didn't feel the quality difference from the Ardanza justified stocking another wine.With the release of the 2017 Arana we see a build in sophistication and restraint over the 2019 Ardanza. The additional age showing through in a more resolved wine.  High-toned, greater integration of oak playing much more subtly, a lacing of American oak and texturally much more refined. Energy, freshness mainta
$140
$135ea in any 3+
$130ea in any 6+
The 2013 Reserva Viña Tondonia is a blend of 70% Tempranillo, 20% Garnacha and 10% Graciano and Mazuelo, grown in the calcareous soils of the Tondonia meander in Rioja Alta. Aged extensively in American oak, it offers restrained black fruit, wild herbs, balsamic hints and sweet spices with gentle cedar and vanilla notes. Medium-bodied with chalky grip and a layered, tertiary finish, this is a benchmark classic-refined, enduring and unmistakably Tondonia. Tasted May 2025 Drink 2025-2055
$140
$135ea in any 3+
$130ea in any 6+
The flow, harmony, fine long fruit and acid entranced. An edgy grip works well in a cleansing way. Super juicy, fine, refreshing with so much energy, vibrant and long. This will settle into something delicious. Savoury, meaty play going on, building into some forest floor. Tightly wound with plenty more to come. This is well worth having a look at, a demonstration of the new Rioja!El Escolladero is a vineyard planted in 1950 in the village of Ábalos at 660 meters in altitude. As with mo
$181
$174ea in any 3+
$167ea in any 6+
A blend of Tempranillo and Graciano. Exceptionally long, fine and fresh with a stunning elegant acid line. Beautifully balanced. Red to blue fruits with a little licorice. Darkness with the red fruit layering over the top. The faintest lick of oak will undoubtedly be lapped up in just a short time. Layered and flowing. I’d love to see the tannins in 3-5 years and the expression. This is well worth having a look at. A demonstration of the new Rioja!El Escolladero is a vineyard plan
$183
$176ea in any 3+
$169ea in any 6+
Thrilled to be able to offer my thoughts on this special wine. Lunch with the full current release set from La Rioja Alta was thrilling. The wines are a demonstration of respect for the past and judicious use of modern technology combined with an approach that offer a style reminiscent of a refreshed classic. No fads here!The Ardanza is a ridiculous value. Coming on 10 years old. This is very good. The harmony and grape first tannin with layering of very subtle oak that wraps rather than in
$219
$209ea in any 3+
$199ea in any 6+

Artuke ‘La Condenada’ Rioja Tinto 2021

Red Blend | Spain, Alavesa

Trying ‘La Conenada’s’ brother 'El Escolladero'  along with a few other wines from the Artuke range was enough to convince me to grab a couple of boxes.Well it's arrived, and I can see why it is one of the Artuke's two crown jewels! The palate has exceptional shape and flow, yes it is precise! The acid ~ tannin ~ fruit ~ alcohol complex sits in perfect harmony. As with the El Escolladero there is just a little edge of grip to the mouthfeel, again in a cleansing positive way. Opening
$229
$219ea in any 3+
$209ea in any 6+