{"title":"No Spain No Gain: Cantalapiedra and Bodegas Gil Berzal","description":"","products":[{"product_id":"cantalapiedra-viticultores-2022-chiviritero-verdejo","title":"Cantalapiedra Viticultores 2024 Chiviritero Verdejo","description":"\u003cp\u003eFor us, this was the gateway drug, the first Verdejo from Manuel Cantalapiedra that really opened our eyes and made us realize that he was trying to do something really special. We had consumed many bottles of his fun and fresh \"Lirondo,\" but Chiviritero had more mystery about it. There were layers, and a level of complexity we weren't that used to... it was hiding something. 2024 should by most accounts be open and accessible, but like with the Otea, we would recommend either decanting or giving it time to age before enjoying.  -EL\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Stelle Wine","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45706969219297,"sku":"17921","price":41.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0602\/3790\/6145\/files\/Chiviritero24Final.jpg?v=1782407460"},{"product_id":"cantalapiedra-viticultores-2022-la-otea-verdejo-1","title":"Cantalapiedra Viticultores 2023 La Otea Verdejo","description":"\u003cp\u003e100% Verdejo from the La Otea vineyard, which is made up of own-rooted vines older than 150 years, and the Balarto vineyard of 132-year-old own-rooted vines. The soils are sandy, and the vineyards are at 700m to 760m. The whole grapes were crushed into used French oak barrels where the juice fermented. After fermentation and malolactic conversion, the wine rested in the same barrels for 11 months before 11 more months in stainless steel. Bottled without fining or filtering.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Stelle Wine","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46838651551969,"sku":"26914","price":114.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0602\/3790\/6145\/files\/Otea23Final.jpg?v=1782408235"},{"product_id":"cantalapiedra-viticultores-2023-el-espejo","title":"Cantalapiedra Viticultores 2023 El Espejo","description":"\u003cp\u003eEl Espejo comes from a 3.6 hectare vineyard planted in 1999 on a mix of clay, marl and limestone. High in elevation at 750 meters above sea level, and particularly concentrated in clay, this is a uniquely cool site for the area. The 2023 was fermented with native yeasts and aged just shy of 1 year in neutral casks before 7 more months in stainless steel. \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Stelle Wine","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48592592077025,"sku":"33411","price":59.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0602\/3790\/6145\/files\/Espejo23.jpg?v=1782407743"},{"product_id":"cantalapiedra-viticultores-2025-lirondo-verdejo","title":"Cantalapiedra Viticultores 2025 Lirondo Verdejo","description":"\u003cp\u003eFrom 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. A lovely opaque, hazy yellow in the glass, with river rocks, white stone fruit and cantaloupe on the nose, plus great mid-palate weight followed by a clean, salty, acid-driven finish. \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Stelle Wine","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48592592142561,"sku":"33410","price":24.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0602\/3790\/6145\/files\/Lirondo25Final.jpg?v=1782407618"},{"product_id":"bodegas-gil-berzal-2023-rioja-tradicion","title":"Bodegas Gil Berzal 2023 Rioja Tradición","description":"\u003cp\u003e85% Tempranillo, 10% Garnacha, 5% Viura in concrete. Despite being the \"entry-level\" wine from the bodega, I am told Saul puts the most work into making this wine, and it really shows. The wine is incredibly fresh, with notes of violet and bright cherry fruit. Real-deal Rioja Alavesa at a tremendous value.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Barrika","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48592598139105,"sku":"33197","price":24.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0602\/3790\/6145\/files\/Tradicion23.png?v=1782416877"},{"product_id":"bodegas-gil-berzal-2020-pequenas-parcelas-tinto","title":"Bodegas Gil Berzal 2020 Pequenas Parcelas Tinto","description":"\u003cp\u003e100% Tempranillo from shallow, calcareous clay soils fermented in concrete and aged 1 year 50% in used 500L oak barrels 50% in concrete. While there is still the freshness associated with the Gil Berzal wines, I found this cuvee to show a lot of low-fi quality; when compared to the Tradicion, the \u003cspan\u003ePequeñas Parcelas Tinto\u003c\/span\u003e is more dense and structured with a deeper core of fruit.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Barrika","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48592598270177,"sku":"33198","price":31.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0602\/3790\/6145\/files\/PequenasTinto20.png?v=1782416920"},{"product_id":"bodegas-gil-berzal-2023-pequenas-parcelas-blanco","title":"Bodegas Gil Berzal 2023 Pequenas Parcelas Blanco","description":"\u003cp\u003e90% Viura, 10% Malvasia fermented in concrete and aged on lees for 6 months. White flowers, herbs, melon and tropical fruits shine on the nose. The palate is full-bodied with salinity but texturally more glossy and slick rather than purely creamy. A great interpretation of white Rioja, which favors freshness, elegance and minerality over opulence and barrel influence.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Barrika","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48592598335713,"sku":"33200","price":32.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0602\/3790\/6145\/files\/PequenasBlanco23.png?v=1782416973"},{"product_id":"bodegas-gil-berzal-2020-recoveco-valcavada","title":"Bodegas Gil Berzal 2020 Recoveco Valcavada","description":"\u003cp\u003e80% Tempranillo, 20% Garnacha from a single vineyard planted in 1990. From mostly free-run juice, though Saul will occasionally stomp on the grapes with his feet. After a cold soak and fermentation in concrete, the wine is aged 15 months in 500-liter French Oak before bottling. Fresh black cherry, plum, thyme, wildflowers and bramble jump out of the glass, complimented by very subtle secondary notes of mushroom and cedar. Medium-bodied with fine tannins and an energetic finish, this wine is lovely now but should age beautifully over the next 10-plus years.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Barrika","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48592598401249,"sku":"33201","price":45.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0602\/3790\/6145\/files\/Valcavada2020Final.jpg?v=1782417022"},{"product_id":"bodegas-gil-berzal-2019-recoveco-san-julian","title":"Bodegas Gil Berzal 2019 Recoveco San Julian","description":"\u003cp\u003e90% Tempranillo, 10% white grapes (Viura and \u003cspan\u003eCalagraño) from a single vineyard planted in 1955. The San Julian vineyard encompasses just over 2 hectares of extremely poor, shallow, clay-calcareous topsoil above limestone bedrock (which sometimes comes up to the surface) hovering at around 650 meters with a southwest-facing exposure. Free-run juice spends 18 months in 600L French oak barrels after a primary fermentation in concrete. Compared to the rest of the \"premier crus\" from the bodega, the San Julian is meatier and spicier while still retaining a seriously fresh aromatic dimension. The tension between the sweet-leaning tannins and mineral core forms a wine that is difficult to move on from. There's little doubt this wine has plenty of life ahead, though undeniably delicious right now. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Barrika","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48592598434017,"sku":"33244","price":64.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0602\/3790\/6145\/files\/SanJulian19.png?v=1782417368"},{"product_id":"bodegas-gil-berzal-2021-recoveco-alto-de-la-huesera","title":"Bodegas Gil Berzal 2021 Recoveco Alto de la Huesera","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe Alto de La Huesera plot can be found in the upper part of the San Julian vineyard. This part of the slope is steeper, with white soils and lots of limestone content. Planted mostly to Viura, there are also old vines of Malvasia Rojal a.k.a Alarije (genetically distinct from Malvasia) which make their way into this wine (roughly 90% Viura, 10% Rojal). The palate is intense and long, with good acidity to cut through the dense, oily texture. Generous already with notes of white peach and white flowers, this wine will certainly evolve nicely with some medium to long term cellaring.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Barrika","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48592598499553,"sku":"33264","price":92.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0602\/3790\/6145\/files\/AltodelaHuesera21.jpg?v=1782417393"},{"product_id":"bodegas-gil-berzal-2021-glorya","title":"Bodegas Gil Berzal 2021 Glorya","description":"\u003cp\u003e100% Garnacha from a special plot of bush-vines within the Valcavada vineyard. Planted in 1995, this gentle, west-facing slope sits at 600 meters and is comprised of a darker soil, mostly clay and limestone. The wine sees 15 months in 500L used French oak before bottling. Glorya is a tribute to Saul and Benjamin's mother, who co-founded the bodega alongside their father. 2021 was cool overall for Rioja Alavesa, with hail and a frost-ridden Spring providing some challenges, though a good balance of sunny days and cool nights throughout the summer ultimately resulted in a particularly strong, well balanced vintage. I've heard that Glorya herself came up with a fantastic note for this wine: raspberry taffy. Though that does justice to the high-toned, extra bright fruit character, I thought our distributor hit the nail on the head when he described the nose as \"like walking through a garden.\" The bouquet of dried herbs, rose petal, crushed raspberry, cherry, and a touch of lipstick just keeps going. Though they may be biased, Saul and Benjamin are certainly fair in their assessment that this is a Grand Cru bottling.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Barrika","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48592598565089,"sku":"33265","price":94.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0602\/3790\/6145\/files\/Glorya-2021.jpg?v=1782417433"},{"product_id":"bodegas-gil-berzal-2020-alma-pura","title":"Bodegas Gil Berzal 2020 Alma Pura","description":"\u003cp\u003eEl Barranco de San Julian, the vineyard from which this wine is produced, is described by the Berzals as, \"the family's special vineyard.\" Planted in 1930 on a moderately steep slope atop a ravine, the soil is poor with a high concentration of clay and limestone (including large limestone boulders which poke out above the surface). Free-run juice (80% Tempranillo, 20% Viura) is fermented with native yeasts in 600L French oak foudres where it is macerated on skins for roughly 20 days before 18 months of further aging. The wine is concentrated, aromatic and long, with a radiant finish that sees just-ripe framboise ring out on the palate. \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Barrika","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48592598630625,"sku":"33399","price":119.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0602\/3790\/6145\/files\/PURAFINAL20.jpg?v=1782417512"}],"url":"https:\/\/chambersstwines.com\/collections\/no-spain-no-gain-cantalapiedra-and-bodegas-gil-berzal.oembed","provider":"Chambers Street Wines","version":"1.0","type":"link"}