In This Newsletter:
Rioja Sale
Champagne Featurette: Andre Clouet
Rioja Sale
Champagne Featurette: Andre Clouet
What’s Spanish for Delicious?
Stock Up & Save On
Rioja
Stock Up & Save On
Rioja
Rioja, Spain’s most renowned wine region, offers bold and layered wines based on Tempranillo and Garnacha. Wineries are well-known for their long love-affair with French and American oak barriques, which impart signature accents to these deeply impressive reds.
There are ample options to choose from amongst our in-stock selections, from budget-friendly to cellar star. We offer releases from some of the region’s oldest producers, including Remelluri (founded in the 14th century), and most notable producers, such as Lopez de Heredia.
You’ll find wineries with cult and popular followings, such as Marques de Murrieta and La Rioja Alta. Here too are picks from long-time favorites at the shop, such as Muga, and new and exciting pairings such as Benjamin de Rothschild & Vega Sicilia’s Macán.
You might just say Rioja has it all… and so do we.
You can, too, with our three-day sale.
There are ample options to choose from amongst our in-stock selections, from budget-friendly to cellar star. We offer releases from some of the region’s oldest producers, including Remelluri (founded in the 14th century), and most notable producers, such as Lopez de Heredia.
You’ll find wineries with cult and popular followings, such as Marques de Murrieta and La Rioja Alta. Here too are picks from long-time favorites at the shop, such as Muga, and new and exciting pairings such as Benjamin de Rothschild & Vega Sicilia’s Macán.
You might just say Rioja has it all… and so do we.
You can, too, with our three-day sale.
5% off any 3-5 in-stock bottles of Rioja
10% off any 6 or more in-stock bottles of Rioja
Discount will not display online or in your cart,
We will adjust your invoice before processing your charge.
Sale ends Saturday, March 22nd at 9 am Pacific.
10% off any 6 or more in-stock bottles of Rioja
Discount will not display online or in your cart,
We will adjust your invoice before processing your charge.
Sale ends Saturday, March 22nd at 9 am Pacific.
We offer twenty-seven in-stock Rioja options on sale now, including:
Remelluri Granja Nuestra Senora de Remelluri Blanco, Rioja DOCa 2021 750ml Displayed Price: $119, that’s $113.05 at 5% off and $107.10 at 10% off, 8 bottles in stock now
Luis Gutiérrez-Wine Advocate 97 points “The 2021 Blanco is a blend of varieties and places and is the first wine that expresses the special character of the Remelluri property. They used different vinification methods (concrete, foudre, barrique, all with indigenous yeasts), and the backbone here is the origin and not the process. It’s not a shy white, showing power (14.14% alcohol) and the freshness of the altitude (605 to 805 meters above sea level) with a low pH (3.24). It comes from vines planted between 1989 and 2012 and is worked organically and biodynamically, with cover crops and horses. It has ripeness, notes of pollen and yellow fruit and a touch of smoke and spice, with a very balanced palate and great purity. It follows the path of elegance and freshness of the 2020, but it was a cooler and healthier vintage (in 2020, they had hail twice), and the wine shows more precision and finishes very clean. Pablo Eguzkiza compared it to 2016. 12,930 bottles produced. It was bottled in July 2023.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $134.99
The next best price is $134.99
Benjamin Romeo ‘La Vina de Andres Romeo’, Rioja DOCa 2004 750ml Was $199, Displayed Price: $179, that’s $170.05 at 5% off and $161.10 at 10% off, 4 bottles in stock now
Luis Gutiérrez-Wine Advocate 98 points “There are a mere 200 bottles of the 2004 La Vina de Andres Romeo. This wine is tightly wound and remains an infant developmentally. Nevertheless, all the ingredients for greatness are present but it will take a decade of cellaring for them to be full expressed. This sensational effort should easily drink well for 40-50 years like a great first growth Bordeaux.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $219.99
The next best price is $219.99
Cuentavinas CDVIN Garnacha, Rioja DOCa 2020 750ml Displayed Price: $69, that’s $65.55 at 5% off and $62.10 at 10% off, 10 bottles in stock now
Guia Penn 94 points “Style: taut;Colour: bright cherry;Aroma: complex, expressive, spicy, mineral, red berry notes, balsamic herbs;Flavour: elegant, full-bodied, long, great length.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $84.99
The next best price is $84.99
Lopez de Heredia Vina Tondonia Reserva, Rioja DOCa 2006 750ml Displayed Price: $69, that’s $65.55 at 5% off and $62.10 at 10% off, 7 bottles in stock now
Luis Gutiérrez-Wine Advocate 95 points “The red flagship 2006 Viña Tondonia Reserva was inspired by the vineyards of the Médoc but produced with local grapes, 70% Tempranillo, 20% Garnacho, 5% Graciano and 5% Mazuelo, which achieved 13% alcohol in 2006. It always matures in used American oak barriques for some six years. The oldest of all the reds I tasted, it was also the one with more freshness, which speaks to the quality of the vineyard. This takes the lion’s share of the 400,000 bottles the winery produces, with some 220,000 bottles filled over a period of 12 consecutive days in May 2014.”
Marques de Murrieta Castillo Ygay Gran Reserva Especial, Rioja DOCa 2011 750ml Displayed Price: $189, that’s $179.55 at 5% off and $170.10 at 10% off, 7 bottles in stock now
James Suckling 98 points “Extremely well-mannered, traditional character to this, showing layer upon layer of savory complexity on the nose, with iron, dried meat, tobacco, balsamic fruit, dried red berries, orange peel, leather and dried mushrooms. A medium-to full-bodied, linear and zesty Rioja that’s full of nuanced flavors that linger through the very long, savory finish. Floral, too. Yet, it remains bright and precise. Tempranillo with 16% mazuelo.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
Marques de Murrieta Castillo Ygay Gran Reserva Especial, Rioja DOCa 2012 750ml Displayed Price: $275, that’s $261.25 at 5% off and $247.50 at 10% off, 9 bottles in stock now
James Suckling 100 points “So much dried flower, mushroom, iron, rust, sweet berry, and grilled orange. Full-bodied with very elegant and refined tannins that melt in the mouth and give a real sense of place and integrity. Balanced and harmonious. The finesse and finish is endless. Production was 30% less than in 2011. Already so drinkable. A wonderful future. This is the new 1934 or 1964, two legends. Drink or hold.”
Bodegas Muga Torre Muga, Rioja DOCa 2019 750ml Displayed Price: $108.50, that’s $103.08 at 5% off and $97.65 at 10% off, 14 bottles in stock now
Jeb Dunnuck 98 points “The 2019 Torre Muga is always a more powerful, ripe expression of Rioja that never loses its sense of place. Deep ruby/purple, with a glorious bouquet of cassis, graphite, tobacco leaf, chocolate, and crushed stone, it hits the palate with medium to full-bodied richness, a deep, pure, multi-dimensional texture, building tannins, and good acidity. It’s young, unevolved, yet oh, so promising. Hide bottles for 7-8 years if you can, and it will cruise for 20-30 years. The blend is 80% Tempranillo and the balance Mazuelo and Graciano, aged 18 months in French oak.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
Granja Nuestra Senora de Remelluri Reserva, Rioja DOCa 2016 750ml Displayed Price: $44.50, that’s $42.28 at 5% off and $40.05 at 10% off, 36+ bottles in stock now
Luis Gutiérrez-Wine Advocate 93+ points “The estate red 2016 Reserva comes from a late growing season and was produced with local varieties like Tempranillo, Garnacha, Graciano and others from their 86 hectares of vineyards at 590 to 805 meters in altitude on limestone, sandstone and marl soils. The grapes were picked late with good ripeness and health and fermented with natural yeasts in stainless steel and open-top oak vats and then matured in oak containers of different sizes for 20 to 21 months. These are more classical wines, with a more evolved nose, with high ripeness and some balsamic and medicinal notes. It has a dusty palate with Nebbiolo-like tannins. 300,000 bottles and 8,200 magnums produced. It was bottled in May 2019.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
Granja Nuestra Senora de Remelluri Gran Reserva, Rioja DOCa 2015 750ml Displayed Price: $119, that’s $113.05 at 5% off and $107.10 at 10% off, 10 bottles in stock now
Luis Gutiérrez-Wine Advocate 95 points “A blend of Tempranillo, Garnacha and Graciano, the 2012 Granja Remelluri Gran Reserva represents what they are aiming for with this wine, a classical expression of the place, the quintessence of the vineyards. The select their oldest vineyards and age the wine for a long time, coming back to those early years of a modern Rioja that has now turned into a classic. It has some dusty tannins, with good grip and length. It was bottled in 24,238 bottles after an élevage of 26 months. It has been in bottle since May 2015.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Lindes de Remelluri Viñedos de Rivas de Tereso, Rioja DOCa 2020 750ml Was $39, Displayed Price: $36, that’s $34.20 at 5% off and $32.40 at 10% off, 14 bottles in stock now
Luis Gutiérrez-Wine Advocate 93+ points “Rivas de Tereso are parishes of San Vicente de la Sonsierra, but the difference with the 2020 Lindes de Remelluri Viñedos de Rivas de Tereso is that the vineyards are at higher altitude and the percentage of Garnacha is much higher here (38%), so there’s more mountain character and more herbal notes in the wine. It has 57% Tempranillo and some 5% other varieties. Despite a moderate 13.95% alcohol, the nose shows good ripeness, and there is some wilderness here, perhaps a little more rusticity too. The soils are very stony and rich in limestone, and the altitude gives the wine an austere twist. 19,742 bottles produced. It was bottled in May 2022.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $44.98
The next best price is $44.98
Lindes de Remelluri Viñedos de Salinillas de Buradón, Rioja DOCa 2020 750ml Was $46.50, Displayed Price: $39, that’s $37.05 at 5% off and $35.10 at 10% off, 18 bottles in stock now
Luis Gutiérrez-Wine Advocate 95 points “The 2020 Lindes de Remelluri Viñedos de Salinillas de Buradón, a parish of Labastida, was produced with a blend of 91% Tempranillo, 4% Garnacha and 5% other varieties from south-facing vineyards behind the Sierra de la Cantabria, the last vineyards that they recovered on quartz salt, gypsum and red clay soils. These are the last grapes to be picked, and the wine has 14.22% alcohol but doesn’t show any heat. It comes through as serious, shy and austere, a little closed at first. The tannins are a little rustic, but the wine has a strong mineral streak that made it my favorite from the lot. 20,114 bottles produced. It was bottled in May 2022.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Bodegas Roda ‘Roda I’ Reserva, Rioja DOCa 2011 750ml Displayed Price: $89, that’s $84.55 at 5% off and $80.10 at 10% off, 6 bottles in stock now
James Suckling 98 points “There is beauty here and the transparency is inspiring with dark berry, floral and mineral character. Full body and ultra-fine tannins. A glorious wine. A wine that will age for decades and beautiful now.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Rothchild Y Vega Sicilia Macán, Rioja DOCa 2018 750ml Displayed Price: $99, that’s $94.05 at 5% off and $89.10 at 10% off, 9 bottles in stock now
Luis Gutiérrez-Wine Advocate 94+ points “The 2018 Macán has moderate alcohol (14%) and more freshness (pH 3.69), reflecting a cooler and rainier year that forced them to fine-tune the sorting and selection of the grapes, which fermented with selected yeasts. The élevage was in barrel (55%) and larger foudres for 16 months. 2018 was quite different from 2019, as it was cooler and rainier. The wine is serious and harmonious, which was a challenge, and winemaker Gonzalo Iturriaga told me that they had to be very careful and sort and select the grapes. It’s textured and elegant, a style that follows the path of the 2016; it’s elegant but with depth, managing the élevage in foudre better, which was a learning process they started in 2016. 74,570 bottles, 2557 magnums and some larger formats produced. It was bottled in September 2020.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
Rothchild Y Vega Sicilia Macán Clásico, Rioja DOCa 2020 750ml Displayed Price: $59, that’s $56.05 at 5% off and $53.10 at 10% off, 15 bottles in stock now
Luis Gutiérrez-Wine Advocate 94 points “The 2020 Macán Clásico was cropped from a more generous crop. The grapes were put in a cold chamber for one night and then underwent a cold soak of three to four days, after which they inoculated the yeasts—in 2020, 25% of it was their native yeast. It fermented in stainless steel, and the élevage was 45% in new French and 5% new American oak barrels, 28% in second use barrel and 22% in stainless steel for one year. The bottled wine has 14% alcohol, a pH of 3.78 and 4.5 grams of acidity (tartaric). This is one of the most elegant vintages of this bottling so far. It has showy aromatics with notes of smoky bacon, a bit meaty, and the thing that surprised me the most was the velvety texture. 202,697 bottles, 1,998 magnums and some larger formats produced. It was bottled in August 2022.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
Torre de Oña Finca Martelo, Rioja DOCa 2015 750ml Displayed Price: $31.90, that’s $30.31 at 5% off and $28.71 at 10% off, 9 bottles in stock now
Luis Gutiérrez-Wine Advocate 94+ points “I found a very complete 2015 Finca Martelo that followed the style and the quality path of the previous vintages. The release of this wine was an important milestone for Torre de Oña, where they look for the typicity of Rioja Alavesa through a blend of old-vine Tempranillo with 6% other varieties (Mazuelo, Garnacha and even white Viura). 2015 was a healthy harvest, and the wine shows a nice combination of power and elegance. It’s clean and modern but with a traditional twist, some developed aromas and very fine chalky tannins from the limestone-rich soils. 80,000 bottles produced. It was bottled in January 2019.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
Villota Tinto, Rioja DOCa 2020 750ml Displayed Price: $29, that’s $27.55 at 5% off and $26.10 at 10% off, 19 bottles in stock now
Joaquin Hidalgo-Vinous 90 points “The 2020 Tinto is composed of 88% Tempranillo and 12% Graciano from Laserna in Laguardia, Rioja Alavesa. Displaying a dark garnet color, it features balsamic aromas ranging from bay leaf to wild herbs in a garrigue-like mood, with hints of blackberry chutney. Dry, rich and intense, the fairly structured palate is flavorful—a potent and ripe Rioja.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Shop our twenty-seven Rioja selections now!
Champagne Featurette:
Andre Clouet
Founded in 1741, the Champagne House of Andre Clouet has been making some of the most recognizable Champagnes in their entire village for centuries. Jean-Francois Clouet, the current owner and winemaker, is committed to making wines that reflect the rich history of the region. His wines do just that, while representing some of the best values available on our shelves.
Clouet sources his cuvees from the assorted plots in the Grand Cru village of Bouzy. The village specializes in powerfully structured Pinot Noir. His latest releases offer ethereal fruit, dense minerality, and effusive aromatics. Don’t sleep on the Silver Label, a Grand Cru, bone-dry Brut Nature Champagne that offers generous aromatics to balance the crystalline-acidity and layers of minerals.
Andre Clouet has been the unofficial house Champagne of Vinopolis for years, and is always worth having on hand as a budget-friendly way to elevate your next meal or party.
In Stock Now:
Andre Clouet Un Jour de 1911… Brut, Champagne NV 750ml $95 special, 7 bottles in stock now
Stephan Reinhardt-Wine Advocate 96 points “[Reviewed 2021] The NV Un jour de 1911… is another 100% Bouzy Pinot Noir with an ancient label design. The shining golden-colored cuvée combines ripeness, complexity and finesse with intensity and elegance on both the nose and palate. It’s a powerful and rich yet very fine and balanced Champagne with great freshness and complex length. It is juicy and intense but also highly delicate, and its mineral tension and persistent finish make it a first-class wine for elaborate dishes. A great Champagne, with a label that doesn’t give any more detailed information regarding vintages or disgorgement date, but we know it’s always a 50/50 blend of three vintages (including one great millésime at least 10 years old) and reserve wines from a solera system. I tasted the wine as a Brut with Clouet’s German importer in Bremen. You shouldn’t drink it too early, as it would be a waste of its talents.”
Andre Clouet Grande Reserve Brut, Champagne NV 750ml $44.50 special, 18 bottles in stock now
Andre Clouet Grande Reserve Brut, Champagne NV 3L $299 special, 3 double-magnums in stock now
Decanter 92 points “[Reviewed 2021] Incredible value for a blanc de noirs (100% Pinot Noir) grower Champagne from the grand cru vineyards of Bouzy. It shows gorgeous aromas of stone fruit, citrus and strawberry, with complex brioche nuances, remarkable balance, ongoing elegance and a rich, refined, persistent finish. Drinking Window 2021 – 2026.”
Andre Clouet Silver Grand Cru Blanc de Noirs Brut Nature, Champagne NV 750ml $44.50 special, 2 bottles in stock now
Andre Clouet Silver Grand Cru Blanc de Noirs Brut Nature, Champagne NV 3L $299 special, 12 double-magnums in stock now
Stephan Reinhardt-Wine Advocate 92+ points “[Reviewed Apr 2021] Clouet’s NV Silver Brut Nature Grand Cru is a pure Bouzy Pinot Noir that was disgorged without any dosage. This disgorgement displays a medium intense golden color and a complex and refined bouquet of ripe and pureed apples and discreet chalky as well as brioche aromas. The palate is elegant, straight and fresh, very pure and salty on the finish. This is a challenging Brut Nature that needs to be aged for two or three years to gain complexity and finesse and to smooth its current edges. The finish is mineral, limestone and salty but also a bit drying at this moment.”
Andre Clouet Chalky Brut, Champagne NV 750ml $59 special, 28 bottles in stock now
James Suckling 93 points “Brimming with fresh apple, lemon and wild-berry aromas underlined by a note of freshly baked baguette, this begins so charming, then it turns in a fascinating mineral direction with a pronounced saline quality. The excitement comes from the tension between these two sides of this very distinctive champagne. Very long, chalky finish. 100% chardonnay from the 2013 vintage. Drink now.”
Clouet sources his cuvees from the assorted plots in the Grand Cru village of Bouzy. The village specializes in powerfully structured Pinot Noir. His latest releases offer ethereal fruit, dense minerality, and effusive aromatics. Don’t sleep on the Silver Label, a Grand Cru, bone-dry Brut Nature Champagne that offers generous aromatics to balance the crystalline-acidity and layers of minerals.
Andre Clouet has been the unofficial house Champagne of Vinopolis for years, and is always worth having on hand as a budget-friendly way to elevate your next meal or party.
In Stock Now:
Andre Clouet Un Jour de 1911… Brut, Champagne NV 750ml $95 special, 7 bottles in stock now
Stephan Reinhardt-Wine Advocate 96 points “[Reviewed 2021] The NV Un jour de 1911… is another 100% Bouzy Pinot Noir with an ancient label design. The shining golden-colored cuvée combines ripeness, complexity and finesse with intensity and elegance on both the nose and palate. It’s a powerful and rich yet very fine and balanced Champagne with great freshness and complex length. It is juicy and intense but also highly delicate, and its mineral tension and persistent finish make it a first-class wine for elaborate dishes. A great Champagne, with a label that doesn’t give any more detailed information regarding vintages or disgorgement date, but we know it’s always a 50/50 blend of three vintages (including one great millésime at least 10 years old) and reserve wines from a solera system. I tasted the wine as a Brut with Clouet’s German importer in Bremen. You shouldn’t drink it too early, as it would be a waste of its talents.”
Andre Clouet Grande Reserve Brut, Champagne NV 750ml $44.50 special, 18 bottles in stock now
Andre Clouet Grande Reserve Brut, Champagne NV 3L $299 special, 3 double-magnums in stock now
Decanter 92 points “[Reviewed 2021] Incredible value for a blanc de noirs (100% Pinot Noir) grower Champagne from the grand cru vineyards of Bouzy. It shows gorgeous aromas of stone fruit, citrus and strawberry, with complex brioche nuances, remarkable balance, ongoing elegance and a rich, refined, persistent finish. Drinking Window 2021 – 2026.”
Andre Clouet Silver Grand Cru Blanc de Noirs Brut Nature, Champagne NV 750ml $44.50 special, 2 bottles in stock now
Andre Clouet Silver Grand Cru Blanc de Noirs Brut Nature, Champagne NV 3L $299 special, 12 double-magnums in stock now
Stephan Reinhardt-Wine Advocate 92+ points “[Reviewed Apr 2021] Clouet’s NV Silver Brut Nature Grand Cru is a pure Bouzy Pinot Noir that was disgorged without any dosage. This disgorgement displays a medium intense golden color and a complex and refined bouquet of ripe and pureed apples and discreet chalky as well as brioche aromas. The palate is elegant, straight and fresh, very pure and salty on the finish. This is a challenging Brut Nature that needs to be aged for two or three years to gain complexity and finesse and to smooth its current edges. The finish is mineral, limestone and salty but also a bit drying at this moment.”
Andre Clouet Chalky Brut, Champagne NV 750ml $59 special, 28 bottles in stock now
James Suckling 93 points “Brimming with fresh apple, lemon and wild-berry aromas underlined by a note of freshly baked baguette, this begins so charming, then it turns in a fascinating mineral direction with a pronounced saline quality. The excitement comes from the tension between these two sides of this very distinctive champagne. Very long, chalky finish. 100% chardonnay from the 2013 vintage. Drink now.”
Shop all 144 of our in-stock Champagne selections here!
Don’t miss our additional sales going on now:
Chateau de Rouanne
5% off any 3-5 in-stock bottles of Chateau de Rouanne
10% off any 6 or more in-stock bottles of Chateau de Rouanne
Italian Magnums
5% off any 3-5 in-stock Italian magnums and/or large format
10% off any 6 or more in-stock Italian magnums and/or large format
Discount will not display online or in your cart,
We will adjust your invoice before processing your charge.
Chateau de Rouanne sale ends Thursday, March 20th at 9 am Pacific. Italian Magnums sale ends Friday, March 21st at 9 am Pacific.