Lustau Amontillado Los Arcos

Valdespino NV San Lucar de Barrameda Manzanilla Deliciosa 375 ml

Palomino fino grape. Legendary Sherry house dating back to 1264. Fermented in stainless steel w/ native yeasts (they are the only Sherry house to do so) & aged under flor for 5 years in Sanlúcar de Barrameda, at Valdespino's famous Misericordia Solera.

Albamar 2022 Rias Baixas Albariño

This beloved entry level cuvée from Albamar is made from grapes sourced from multiple sites with mainly sandy soil. The fruit from each parcel is vinified separately (some in stainless steel, some in barrels) gaining structure and complexity of flavor from six months spent on the fine lees. This is a very good, classic expression of Albariño with plenty of saline minerality and joyous notes of stone-fruit and sea air. The 2022 is everything we want our Albariño to be - direct and fresh, with laser-like acidity but also revealing layers of mineral flavors and somehow feeling balanced and not overly acidic. You'll regret just getting one bottle so at least double up!

Artadi 2004 Rioja Vinas de Gain

Bernabeleva 2019 Sierra de Gredos San Martin de Valdeiglesias Viña Bonita

Bodegas Akutain 2017 Rioja Reserva

Jon Peñagarikano Akutain, the second-generation owner of Bodegas Akutain, is making some of our favorite, classicly styled Riojas. Everything at the esate is traditional: hand-harvesting from six hectares of estate vineyards, fermentation with natural yeasts and without temperature control, and aging (with racking) in used American oak barrels. The 2017 Reserva is almost entirely Tempranillo from higher altitude plots in Rioja Alta. Grapes were destemmed with fermentation in fiberglass and stainless steel, followed by aging for 35 months in neutral (mainly American) oak barrels. Unfortunately for the estate, there was 70% loss in 2017 due to frost, and the only grapes they did harvest were from the Gembres vineyard (their best site). This was the only wine they produced in 2017, and though the yields were extremely low, the concentration and quality of the fruit was outstanding. This is a delicate, elegant Reserva, with nice lift and acid. The nose shows classic Rioja character: cherry, dried tobacco, and earth with just a hint of that herbal, dill-like note that signals the use of American oak barrels. This offers tons of pleasure right now, and could certainly be held for the next 10 to 15 years. A perfect "drink or hold" wine.  

Bodegas Cueva 2022 Utiel-Requena 'Orange'

Cantalapiedra Viticultores 2022 Castilla Y Leon Lirondo Verdejo (no SO2)

From a father and son team in Castilla y León with three generations of organic farming under their belts, and since the early 2000s, incorporating Biodynamic methods as well. Isaac Cantalapiedra passed on the estate to his son, Manuel, who utilizes wild yeasts for fermentation, with minimal or zero SO2 added. This is an addictivly thist-quenching and textured Verdejo, unfiltered and with no SO2 added. A lovely opaque yellow in the glass, with white stone fruit on the nose, and great mid-palate weight followed by a clean, acid-driven finish. We can't get enough of the 2022, one of the cleanest and most gulpable of Manuel's recent vintages of this wine.

Castellroig NV Penedès Corpinnat Brut Reserva

Castellroig is one of the finest values in sparkling wine and a great example of the wines of Corpinnat: it is farmed organically, harvested by hand, aged at least 18 months on the lees, and fermented with native yeasts. Marcel Sabate and his team have a remarkable understanding of their vineyards and have mapped out every minute shift in terroir on their estate; this fanatical approach to quality shows in the bottle. The focus of this cuvée is Xarel-lo, a favorite among the grapes of the Penedès for its refreshing mineral qualities and notes of mountain herbs. A light-on-its-feet bubbly for everyday occasions. Ariana Rolich

Cellar Frisach 2021 Terra Alta Vernatxa (Garnatxa Blanca NO SO2)

Garnaxta Blanca (Grenache Blanc) with 1 week of skin contact, but by no means in pursuit of an "orange wine". As the winemakers explained to me at a tasting in early 2023, the area where their winery is was historically quite poor. Winemakers had no pumps, no modern stuff, so often wines were made with some skin contact - what the locals call 'brisat' - traditionally a mix of red and white grapes but in this case, just Garnatxa Blanca. An exciting and delicious Spanish white showing nice texture and plenty of minerality from the limestone soils.

Celler Escoda Sanahuja 2021 Conca de Barbera Els Bassotets Macabeu, Sumoll Blanc

Winemaker Joan Ramon Escoda makes this fabulous. multi-dimensional orange wine, which is a blend of mostly Maccabeu and Parellada, with Sumoll Blanc, Garnacha Blanca, and Chenin Blanc, fermented with native yeasts, 2 weeks on the skins, and bottled with no added sulfites. Super fresh, fleshy and just a bit funky, perhaps the timer is currently set at 2 hours for our recommended time frame after opening. Our guess is a few more months in bottle should lengthen that, but if you like edgy wines that taste wild and alive and maybe a touch sour, then put a chill on one right now!

Celler Escoda Sanahuja 2021 Vina de Espana La Llopetera

CVNE 2001 Rioja Gran Reserva Vina Real

CVNE 2004 Rioja Gran Reserva Imperial

CVNE 2010 Rioja Gran Reserva Vina Real

CVNE 2011 Rioja Imperial Reserva

Decendientes de Jose Palacios 2017 Bierzo Villa de Corullon

Emilie Mutombo 2021 'ET'

Emilie Mutombo 2021 Merloette

Emilie Mutombo 2021 Omnia

Envinate 2022 Almansa Garnacha Tintorera Albahra

Oh, how we love this wine! Year after year, we are reminded of how lovely and balanced Grenache can be (ok it's not 100%, but still). We're also always so impressed with the price of the wine when considering the quality and how much potential it has in the shorter term (3-5 years) for incredible development and olefactory reward. Try keeping one for a year and tell us it didn't blow you away for under $30! Albahra is Envinate's Mediterranean wine, from vines of Garnacha Tintorera and Moravia-Agria, planted in clay-limestone soils near Albacete in Castilla-La Mancha. There are two parcels of Garnacha and one parcel of Moravia-Agria. Each parcel is vinified separately, always with some whole clusters used. After about 8 months the wines are blended together and bottled without fining or filtering and with only a small amount of SO2 added. The 2021 was fantastic, and somehow the 2022 just keeps it coming! It's bright and spicy (though perhaps a bit meatier than the '21), with notes of cherries and red fruit. Charming now, this should age nicely. Any fan of the elegant and delicate side of Grenache/Garnacha should grab a bottle (or two or three)!   ///  ** "Albahra (Castilian for “small sea”) is named for the vineyard area in the Almansa region close to the town of Albacete, located at the southeastern tip of Castilla-La Mancha"

Finca Torremilanos 2021 Ribera del Duero Montecastrillo Tinto

This 100% Tempranillo wine from Ribera del Duero is a fantastic value, from  Demeter certified Biodynamic vineyards.  Coming from vines aged between 10- and 20-years-old, the wine is aged 80% in stainless steel and 20% in oak. This is a classic, fuller-bodied expression of warm climate Tempranillo: dark fruit, earth, a bit of leather and medium tannins are in balance with freshness and some herbal character. A great wine for a party or with steak, lamb and anything grilled this spring and summer.

Guímaro 2020 Ribeira Sacra Camiño Real

Guímaro (which means "rebel" in Gallego) was founded by Pedro Rodriguez in 1991, in Amandi, the most celebrated subzone of Ribeira Sacra. Here Mencía and other indigenous varieties (Merenzao, Mouratón, Brancellao, Caiño, Sousón...) are planted on very steep terraced slopes of slate on the northern bank of the river Sil. The vines on these south-facing slopes (almost cliffs, really - we definitely recommend checking out a photograph of these precariously steep vineyards) produce wines of great mineral intensity and character. Camiño Real comes from six terraced vineyards around Amandi, with about 85% of the blend Mencía and 15% other indigenous red varieties. Pedro harvests the grapes by hand  and ferments them together in open-top oak vats with 40 days of maceration on the skins before raising in an foudre and 225L and 500L barrels. 2021 was by all accounts a very special vintage in Ribeira Sacra, and this is one of the most open and immediately charming bottlings of Camino Real that we can remember, with pure red and purple fruit in the mid-palate, medium-body, spice and elegance in the finish.

La Rioja Alta 1981 Rioja Gran Reserva 890

890 refers to the foundation year of 1890 (again the name was shortened to avoid confusion with the vintage). 890 is made only in the best vintages from 95% Tempranillo, with Graciano and Mencia making up the rest, and is aged in barrel from 6-8 years, and an additional 6 years in bottle.

La Rioja Alta 1995 Rioja Gran Reserva 904

Lan 2003 Rioja Edicion Limitada

Lopez de Heredia 1970 Rioja Gran Reserva Bosconia

Lopez de Heredia 1973 Rioja Gran Reserva Bosconia

López de Heredia 1976 Rioja Gran Reserva Bosconia

Lopez de Heredia 1976 Rioja Gran Reserva Tondonia

Lopez de Heredia 1981 Rioja Gran Reserva Bosconia

It's a shame the prices have steadily gone up on these wonderful Gran Reservas. With that being said, I still think that these are relative values in the world of older vintages. I have enjoyed the 1981 on a few occasions, and have always been impressed with it's ethereal and harmonious qualities — bright cherry fruit, strawberry, cedar, soil tones, precision and gorgeously silky texture. Mature now, this will still to continue to cellar for at least 5-10 more years. Just lovely... cb

Lopez de Heredia 1985 Rioja Tondonia Gran Reserva

Lopez de Heredia 1987 Rioja Tondonia Gran Reserva

López de Heredia 1994 Rioja Gran Reserva Tondonia

75% Tempranillo, 15% Garnacha, and 10% Mazuelo and Graciano, aged 9 years in barrel and 9 years in bottle. Sweet, pretty aromas of balsamic, raspberries, coriander and crunchy leaves. Complex and well-structured on the palate with bright red cherry, chewy cranberry skins, woodsy thyme, thorny rose, clove spice, and crunchy leaves that remind us this fresh Rioja has some age. At the same time, its bright acidity and taut tannins alert us to many great years ahead! -Ariana Rolich

López de Heredia 2001 Rioja Tondonia Reserva 1.5 L

75% Tempranillo, 15% Garnacha, and 10% Mazuelo, aged 6 years in barrel and 4 years in bottle. Full bodied and structured with dark tobacco, plump fruit, and woodsy earth. Rather generous and amazing. cb

López de Heredia 2004 Rioja Tondonia Reserva

This is serious Rioja: no new oak, extended pre-release bottle aging, and exquisite vineyard sites (for the Tondonia, vines dig deep through fine-grained alluvial soils overlooking the Ebro River that were first planted almost 140 years ago).  Don Rafael López de Heredia y Landeta founded Lopez de Heredia in 1877, and the wines continue to serve as a benchmark for the region (the familyy business is now led mainly by his grandson Pedro, and great-granddaughter Maria Jose). The bodega comprises four distinct vineyard areas and extends to a total of 170 hectares, with Tondonia being the largest and most famous of the holdings. Jancis Robinson considers 2004  "a very good year, with wines that should last well," and the Tondonia Reserva is certainly that: powerful, lean, and layered  with gorgeous, generous fruit and all the cigar box, cedar, and leather notes a lover of classic Rioja could wish for.

López de Heredia 2006 Rioja Tondonia Reserva 1.5 L

Nanclares y Prieto 2021 Ribeira Sacra O Son Pisadas

Nanclares y Prieto 2021 Ribeira Sacra Pensares

Nanclares y Prieto 2022 Rias Baixas Dandelion Albariño

Alberto Nanclares and Sylvia Prieto are making expressive, exciting wines from Albarino and other local grapes in Rias Baixas. This wine is from multiple sites in Cambados on granitic and sandy soils. The vines range in age from 30 to 60 years, a the wine is fermented with indigenous yeasts and raised in small tanks for close to a year. We just tasted the 2022 a few days ago, and it is better than even we expected, and we're always have high expectations for this wine! Delicate acidity, stones, and dry melon notes. Unlike the '21 which was perhaps a bit more stern and ungiving when it was released, the 2022 Dandelion is a very complete wine and ready to drink...right now! To be fair, it will probably be even better with 2-5 years in bottle.

Oriol Artigas 2021 Sammay Pet Nat Negre

This is a delicious and very lively ancestral style sparkling 'Pet-Nat,' made from Trepat, which is local to Catalunya. Vines are on sandy granitic soils. Grapes are split, with half seeing whole cluster, and the other half added to juice in an infusion style. The flavors are wild, with bright red fruit, and a touch of herbs. At 10% ABV, it's extremely thirst quenching, and sure to be noticed with it's vibrant color and curious aromas. Though undisgorged, it just needs to be properly chilled to avoid any kind of mess.

Peciña, Hermanos de 2003 Rioja Crianza 1.5 L

Peciña, Hermanos de 2016 Rioja Crianza

Bodegas Hermanos de Peciña is firmly planted in traditional Rioja, one of perhaps a dozen producers adhering to the tenets passed down through generations. This includes long aging in mostly neutral American oak of 4-10 years, regular open-air racking by hand (called trasiego), and then further aging in bottle often well beyond the specifications required by the DO. Founder Pedro Peciña had over two decades of working in Rioja Alta before opening his own Bodega in 1992. This wine is a blend of Tempranillo (95%), Graciano (3%), and Garnacha (2%), from various calcareous-clay vineyards, and vines averaging 40 years old. The wine ages 2 years in used American oak barrels, and 1.5 years in bottle prior to release.

Peciña, Hermanos de 2019 Rioja Blanco

Pecina provides one of Rioja's greatest examples of fresh yet complex young white wine. 100% Viura,  fermented with native yeasts and raised entirely in stainless steel (with several months on the lees and up to a year in bottle), for a bold, bright white, with cool herbal and waxen aromas, followed by flavors of tangy white grapefruit and green apple, and fresh green herbs. A spectacular bargain and a nice change from your everyday white, perfect for pairing with salads, fish, poultry and pesto.

Prana (Vina Ilusion) 2021 Rioja 'Prana'

Martin A Alonso Etayo has been quietly producing natural wines in Rioja, under the Viña Ilusion label. He owns five hectares of Tempranillo in Rioja, at around 600-700m of elevation, which are farmed based on the principles of Masanobu Fukuoka (do-nothing farming), Rudolf Steiner (biodynamics) and permaculture. Their goal is to rejuvenate and uplift the land that they work, own, and live on. They also make wine in a very low-intervention style: Prana is their second wine, made in a carbonic style. Medium-bodied and pretty, it shows red fruits and earth on the nose, leading to a joyful palate of cherry, red berries, and clay-y earthiness. The 2021 has great balance, ripe-enough fruit for a young Rioja, and the freshness you want from a wine at this level. A perfect tapas wine deserving of a light chill with afternoon snacks and equally versatile with dinner.

Raventos I Blanc 2021 Conca del Riu Anoia de Nit Reserva Rose

Raventós I Blanc 2021 Conca del Riu Anoia de Nit Reserva Rosé 375 ml

Raventós I Blanc 2021 Conca del Riu Anoia de Nit Rosé 1.5 L

Recaredo 2020 Celler Credo Penedès Miranius White Wine

"Lithe like the ‘Miranius’ – a clever fox who ventures into our vineyards and is delighted by the sweet aromas of the grapes. Miranius is intended to express the singularity of the landscapes of the Penedès region. That’s why it’s made using grapes harvested from a selection of Xarel·lo vineyards distributed in three main areas of the territory: Plana del Penedès, Muntanyes de l’Ordal (vineyards at an elevation of 400 metres) and Vall del Bitlles." (quote from Recaredo website) //  Made from 100% Xarel-Lo in 2022, the wine shows very good freshness and great balance. Faint aromas of melon and honeydew with some rosemary and sage, the palate underscore these notes with cool minerality and acidity. Lively and vibrant. -GH

San Roman 2008 Toro

Veronica Ortega 2017 Bierzo 'Quite'

Victoria Torres Pecis 2019 La Palma T Mas D Blanco

A wine that will likely just exist once, this is a relatively equal blend of Listan Blanco and Diego from two vineyards in Fuencaliente in the southern part of La Palma, both planted on volcanic ash. The "T" is for El Tión, a zone in the south of the island, near a volcanic crater sitting at around 2,000m, where Victoria has a vineyard at about 1200m. This is where the Listan Blanco comes from, some of which is used for her red wine called 'El Tión,' and some of which was used for this blend. The "D" is for Diego, which comes from a vineyard at 800m, not far from the El Tión zone. It's not clear if there wasn't enough Diego and she added Listan Blanco from El Tión, or if it was the other way around. Either way, it's a blend that might not happen again! The wines were fermented separately in stainless steel, and then blended and aged on the lees, also in stainless. We haven't tried it but we can offer this tasting note from Luis Gutiérrez of the Wine Advocate, who has tasted extensively with Victoria, and reviewed her wines very positively! ///  "It has a pungent nose with balsamic, spicy and medicinal touches, with hints of jasmine and some herbal notes. It has a velvety palate with a bitter and salty twist on the finish, which was very dry. 1,047 unoaked bottles were produced."  -Luis Gutiérrez Wine Advocate

Victoria Torres Pecis 2021 La Palma Mazo LB (Listan Blanco)

Importer Note:  "El Mazo is in the same southern zone of the grapes that go into her Clarete, in the south of La Palma. The Listan Blanco here comes from 75-year-old vines, and the grapes have thicker skins, adapted to the fierce Atlantic winds. The wine macerates shortly with the skins before being pressed and fermented. It is aged in Viki's famous chestnut barrels." (courtesy of David Bowler Wines)

Victoria Torres Pecis 2021 La Palma Sin Titulo Blanco Malvasia Alb

Importer Note:  "75% Malvasía Aromática and 25% Albillo.  The Malvasía comes from the Jerónimo vineyard in the north at 1,200 meters, while the Albillo comes from the Los Llanos Negros plantation in the lower south at 380m. Due to a heatwave in August Viki lost around 85% of her Malvasía grapes, and decided to bring in Albillo to add some savory notes and depth. Grapes were fermented and aged separately, the Albillo in concrete tanks and the Malvasia in old barrels." (courtesy of David Bowler Wines)

Victoria Torres Pecis NV (18/19/20) 'LII' La Palma Tinto Negramoll

LII is a second bottling of the multi-vintage Negramoll wine from Victoria that is the first release of Negramoll from her since the 2018 vintage. This is quite simply the same wine and aged in the same way, but for longer. My assumption was that LI would be a bit lighter and more fragrant, and LII a bit deeper, and perhaps darker or broader from the additional aging in barrel. It does seem the case. I thought I liked LI "better" after trying them both, but I don't know if I'd feel the way in a few years. In the end, LI is ligther and more energetic in spirit, and LII does have more meatiness and subtle oxidized notes. Something tells me LII could handle Sichuan food but LI might not. Maybe LI is an appetizer and LII is the main course? Maybe I'm just hungry.  -EL 

Viña Zorzal 2020 Navarra Graciano

Zorzal takes the Graciano grape to new heights with this inexpensive but outrageously delicious 35-year-old, organically-farmed vines in Spain's Navarra region (Rioja's overlooked neighbor). This is a generous, crowd-pleasing, and thirst-quenching red on the fuller side of medium-bodied. It is pretty and perfumed, with flavors of juicy purple plum, ripe red raspberry, and dark cherry, violet flowers, soft funky earth, spearmint leaf, cinnamon spice, smooth tannins, rich texture, and just enough acidity. Unfined, unfiltered, and fermented with native yeasts.