Spanish Wine

Winemaker Description 

A dazzling lemon-gold in color, La Guita Manzanilla is clean and fresh on the nose displaying aromas of glazed fruit, wild herbs and toasted almonds. On the palate, it is light, yet persistent, mimicking the aromatic intensity of the nose onto the remarkable finish.

Winemaker Description

The complex and mature bouquet offers rich fruit aromas, along with hints of spice and notes of raisin fruit, layered with tobacco and leather. Elegant and velvety on the palate, this is classic Gran Reserva Rioja from an excellent vintage that provides outstanding value for money.

Winemaker Description

Impressive dark cherry red color with great depth. Seductive floral and dark fruits (cassis, blackberry jam) aromas with undertones of Mediterranean woodland (eucalyptus) and spices (white pepper). Delicate, yet flavorful on the palate with a backbone of very fine-grained tannins and an elegant persistence that culminates — true to its name — in a chorus of aromas and flavors.

Expert Reviews

James Suckling 92 Points | Sweet cherries and berries on the nose with rose petals and lavender. Medium to full body, firm and chewy tannins and a flavorful finish. Another year or two will soften this. Try after 2021. (2018). 

Wine Spectator 90 Points | A toasty red, with smoke, mocha, grilled herb and iron notes accenting baked black cherry and plum fruit. Dense and medium- to full-bodied, with fine-grained tannins firming the tightly meshed finish. Carignan, Grenache and Syrah. Drink now through 2028. 5,100 cases made, 250 cases imported. (2018).

Winemaker Description

Intense purple color. Aromas of tobacco, licorice and blackcurrants. Full-bodied with hints of toast and mature fruit. Long balanced finish.

Expert Rating

89 Points Wine Spectator | Delivers dark and juicy blackberry and black plum fruit underscored by subtle smoke and earth notes. Medium-bodied, with accents of dried medicinal herbs, anise, iron and graphite on the finish alongside lightly chalky tannins.

92 Points James Suckling | Attractive nose with a hint of walnut husk and dark earth to the black cherries and sweet tobacco. A hint of truffle and sous-bois, too. Medium-bodied on the palate with firm, dusty tannins that grow and extend in a long, succulent finish. Tempranillo, graciano and mazuelo. (2018)

92 Points Wine Enthusiast | Deep violet to the eye, this wine has a nose of black plum, dark chocolate and dried hillside herbs. Bold red berry flavors are joined by plush tannins and deeper notes of mocha, truffle and thyme. As flavors and textures wind down on the palate, a note of orange zest remains. (2018).

The 2018 Beronia Rioja Reserva is a deep black plum color, clean and bright with a garnet rim. Attractive and intriguing on the nose it displays nutty aromas (roasted almonds, walnuts) followed by notes of plum primarily but also ripe fruit and a pleasant hint of white pepper, which all add complexity and freshness. Full-bodied on the palate, the wine displays balanced acidity. The flavors are mostly of ripe fruit, whilst the finish is sweet and smooth, bringing to mind cacao and roasted hazelnuts. Winemaker Description. 

Winemaker Description

Partida Pedrer macerates in the winery with part of the whole berry and part of crushed grapes for 8-10 days. There it begins a spontaneous fermentation with native yeasts that ends and ends up aging in cement jars. Finally the wine is bottled without any type of additive.
 
Partida del Pedrer is quite a challenge. A natural red wine that shows the purity of expression, without additives of any kind. Pure Priorat.

Winemaker Description

With this new wine from Sumoll, Grosella, we return to our origins.

Winemaker Description

Dark opaque plummy colors jump from the glass. Aromas of dark fruit: blackcherry, Plum and blackberry; Layered with soft notes of cinnamon and cloves. Full and satisfying finish.

Expert Reviews

Oscar Garcia Moncada, 67Wine: Tempranillo from Rioja Alavesa that expresses the terroir and microclimate of this acclaimed region. The Saenz family, who owns the winery and vineyards,  date their winemaking tradition all the way back to the 16th century. 

Sarah Jane Evans MW, 91 Points | Pedro Ballestero Torres MW, and Pierre Mansour write:  Black fruits, wild herbs, savoury tannin, and balsamic notes with rich fruit feel in the mouth. Long and open on the finish. 

Winemaker Notes

Winemaker Description

Appearance : Clean and with an intense color with cherry reflections. Aroma : Aromatic intensity and complexity, where red and black fruits appear with notes of underlying vanilla and balsamic. Taste : It transmit its strong and harmonious constitution, fruit and tannic softly shaped by the oak vessel, which are prolonged. Tasty and ashy, it’s a faithful, exponent of winery.

Wine Spectator 94 Points | Singed black sesame, rye, buckwheat honey, Black Forest cake and blackberry reduction notes form a large-scaled core, with a viscous texture and a long, palate-coating finish. A light echo of peanut toffee adds just enough cut on the finish.

Wine Enthusiast 94 Points |  Ripe aromas of apricot, raisin and chocolate offer complex notes of dried cheese and sweat, making this anything but usual and normal. A jacked palate is racy and untamed, with bright acidity that's uncommon for wines this sweet. Chocolate, cinnamon, nutmeg and coffee flavors carry an acidic balsamic note, while this remains bold, fiery and blasting on the finish. *Editor's Choice*

Wine Advocate 91 Points | The NV Noe Pedro Ximenez Muy Viejos VORS 30 Anos from sun-dried Pedro Ximenez grapes originates in the Nectar solera, and has a final average age of more than 30 years. The sugar level is 400 grams per liter. It has a different character and profile, more vinous than other PXs, it displays a volatile nose, with some minty, herbaceous and balsamic notes, intermixed with incense, ash and tar. The palate is extremely intense, velvety and round, with balanced sweetness, ending with a varnished note that lifts the wine up.

James Suckling 95 Points | To anyone who knows British Christmas pudding, the dense flavors of dried fruit, burnt sugar and spices will be nothing new. However, the sheer density of flavor will be something new to many, as will the stunning acidity at the finish.

Winemaker Description

This is a wine from southern Priorat, which marks with a lively, warm and fragrant vein the serious, deep and enigmatic character of old vineyards. Blackberry aromas with balsamic notes typical of the brushwood. The palate is remarkably mature and fresh at the same time. 

Barrika is a traditional Spanish Cider brand from the Basque Country in northern Spain. A classic Sagardoa, this cider has been made by the Astiazaran family since 1880. Nothing but apples, unfiltered, natural, and no sulfur added since before it was cool.

 Most importantly, delicious What started as a cider made for friends and family has grown in reputation and reach, with more than 100 cider awards to it's name and international distribution. Made from a blend of 7 classic Spanish Cider apple varieties; this traditional Spanish cider is fermented and aged in large chestnut casks and bottled still and natural (no additives, no sulfites, etc.). Winemaker Description. 

Winemaker Description 

Tio Pepe Fino Sherry is a star bright, pale golden color. It is elegant and distinctive, with fresh bread and almond aromas. The palate is full bodied, crisp and very dry, with a complex, long finish.

Perfect with canapes and tapas, Asian food, seafood and all fish based dishes. Try it with caviar, oysters, anchovies or tuna carpaccio. Winemaker Description. 

Expert Review 

James Suckling 90 Points | This is the prototypical fino sherry with all the salty and yeasty character you expect. Also dried-apple, pear and lemon-zest character. Generous, but very dry and salty on the palate with a refreshing touch of austerity. Where are the olives? Drink now, if possible from a freshly opened bottle. 

Winemaker Description

Impeccable harmony between the notes of ripe fruit and the aromas of carbonic maceration. Sweet, full-bodied and a long, pleasant finish.

Owned and run by winemaker Ignacio Valdera, Bermejos is situated on the easternmost Canary Island of Lanzarote. This wine is made with 100% Listán Negro fermented via carbonic maceration. Listán Negro is hardly grown at all on the European mainland—it was wiped out by the phylloxera epidemic—but it is widely planted on the Canary Islands.

Expert Reviews

Oscar Garcia 67Wine.com | Bodegas Los Bermejos Listan Negro is made with 100% Listan Negro. The rich volcanic soils of the Island of Lanzarote serve as the catalyst for this tantalizing red. Aromas of black olives, green herbs and that unmistakable "volcanic" minerality are the primary notes on the nose. Medium-bodied with notes of preserve dark fruit, black pepper and earthy undertones. The finish is fairly savory with fruity nuances.

Winemaker Description 

A pale and delicate light dry Sherry that is light in color. Commonly served cold as an aperitif, many consider this Spanish wine to be the world's finest Sherry. Finos are excellent when young. A delicate pale cocktail sherry noted for its fine, dry after taste. 

Critic Notes

Luis Gutierrez writes:  The white 2020 Blanco is a little closed, young, clean and tender with subtle oak. They produced a little bit more in 2020, and the wine has less oak and less buttery sensations, a change that started with the 2017 vintage, which seems to have found its style harvesting earlier to retain freshness; it has 13.04% alcohol and a low pH 3.23 and matured in larger oak containers, 500-liter oak barrels and some concrete for 12 months. It's floral and expressive, a blend of Viura with 20% Garnacha Blanca that they still consider work in progress but moving in the direction they want to go. 16,200 bottles and 100 magnums were filled in March 2022.  Drinking 2022 to 2028.  - Robert Parker Wine Advocate 93

James Suckling writes:  A delicious, creamy white with aromas of apricots, baked peaches, hazelnuts, white chocolate and nougat. It’s medium-to full-bodied with a ripe and creamy palate. Lovely buttery pastry and nougat character, with a fresh finish. Drink now  - James Suckling 93

Pedro Ballesteros MW, Sarah Jane Evans MW, Pierre Monsour write:  Round and warm on the nose, with fine notes of smoke. A mouth-filling wine that's fresh and expressive.  Drinking 2024 to 2027.  - Decanter 90

Winemaker Notes

Contino Blanco 2020 shows a very intense nose, marked by its aging in barrel. It is fresh and fruity wine, a true reflection of the identity of our vineyard. San Gregorio offers a Garnacha Blanca with great complexity and volume. The soils are clayey-calcareous, with medium stoniness, key for good drainage.

Blend: 80% Viura, 20% Garnacha Blanca

Producer Description 

Avinyó Cava is a premier, hand-made, artisanal sparkling wine house which stands in stark contrast to the status quo of the industrial Cava machine. Located in the Catalan countryside in the remote village of Avinyonet del Penedès, the Esteve family traces their history to 1597 in the same farmhouse, Can Fontanals.

Their spirit of innovation and respect for traditions, driven by an undercurrent of constant self-improvement and a relentless drive for quality, are the defining characteristics that set Avinyó Cava apart.

Avinyó Brut Nature is a refined expression of terruño-driven Cava from a vineyard selection of organically-grown, old-vine 70% xarel-lo,  25% macabeo, and 5% parellada from their Can Fontanals masía at 250m to 275m.

Vinification – After a night-time grape harvest to avoid oxidation and for optimal temperature, the grapes are pressed very gently in a pneumatic press. The base wine is fermented in temperature-controlled stainless steel between 14°C and 16°C. After cold stabilization, the wine begins its secondary fermentation in bottle with the addition of yeasts and sugar in late January. It is then aged a minimum of 24 months on the lees before being disgorged on demand. No dosage.

Producer Description 

A field blend with Dona Blanco as the dominant varietal, but also Verdejo, Godello, Palomino, and Albillo. The vineyard averages about 90 years old, including some that are pre-phylioxera, from Villanueva de Campeán and Cabañas de Sayago, within the scope of the D.O. Tierra del Vino

Previously owned by various owners who each planted field blends according to their own expressions, the vineyards are now owned by the winery and blended together

Driven by white flowers, citrus and mineral tones, it's rounded on the palate without a strong oak influence on the aromas. 

Ageing is exclusively carried out in French oak barrels from different cooperages.

Producer Description 

Las Beatas is a spectacular 1.9 hectare property which Telmo and Pablo have invested tremendous time and energy: 15 years of renovative viticultural work took place before a single bottle was made.

There are at least ten grape varieties grown on eight terraces, predominantly Tempranillo with 30% Garnacha, some Viura and traces of many other rare, perhaps unidentified cultivars, all planted on cold sandy soils. Las Beatas was made and aged in a single 1200 liter old French foudre. This is a refined, elegant and fluid wine with great complexity and nuance that will age beautifully. 

Producer Description 

Akutain’s Rioja Reserva — a blend of Tempranillo with a touch of Garnacha and Viura — is fermented in a combination of stainless steel and fiberglass tanks, then aged for 35 months in predominantly neutral American oak with a small amount of French barrels. Mid-Ruby in color, this Reserva possesses a beautiful bouquet of ripe berry fruit mixed with notes of dried herbs, tobacco and rose petals.

The full-bodied palate displays concentrated flavors of black cherry, cooked-down strawberries and earth balanced by velvety, textured tannins. The finish exhibits enduring depth and complexity. The perfect companion to grilled, roasted or braised meats and game.

Producer Description 

Priorat Martinet Bru Mas Martinet 2021 (750ML) captivates with its intensity and power, showcasing flavors of dark berries, spices, and hints of cocoa and vanilla. This blend reflects Mas Martinet's dedication to crafting bold and age-worthy wines from Priorat's prestigious vineyards.

Expert Review

Luis Gutiérrez of the Wine Advocate writes 94 Points | The 2021 Martinet Bru was also bottled and ready for tasting. 2021 is a year of very good potential in Priorat. There is great tension here, and the wine has freshness, complexity and depth, something special, but it was not easy, as they got a lot of rain in September. It's elegant and balanced, the tannins are very fine and the wine feels very relaxed (quite remarkable, as it was recently bottled). It has to be one of the finest vintages of Martinet Bru. I find great purity here. Sara Pérez told me the 2021s seem to dance... There are some 56,000 bottles. This is bottled over a period of time, and they started in July 2022. (v.2021).

Producer Description 

The white grape varieties Xarel.lo, Macabeu and Muscat from our Penedès vineyards are the base for the Marta Violet elaboration. It’s fresh, fruity and floral white wine. The violet bottle is the unique violet glass bottle in the world.

It presents a beautiful pale yellow color. Aroma: It’s fresh with fruity and floral notes.
Palate: It has a good balance with smooth palate and pleasant finish. Gastronomy: It’s recommended for aperitif, assorted salads, pasta, rice and fish dishes. Enjoy anytime of the day.

Producer Description 

The red grape varieties Garnatxa and Samso from Els Guillamets vineyards are the base for the Siana Terrer 2022.

On the nose it presents an intense and elegant aroma of ripe red fruit and jam, with hints of anise, delicate touches of new oak and mineral notes. Palate: In the mouth is well-rounded, pleasant, lingering and powerful. Long finish which brings out its special spicy character.

Gastronomy: Recommended with any white or red meats (fowl, wild game, stews, roast lamb, beef...),with stewed legumes and cured and blue cheeses.

GOLD MEDAL – INTERNATIONAL WINE AWARDS 2024
90 POINTS – TIM ATKIN MASTER OF WINE 2024

Producer Description 

The Pizarra vineyards are found on red metamorphic slate soils, which are unique to the village of Cebreros, folded into the mostly granitic mountain range. This slate soil makes Cebreros unlike any other village within the Sierra de Gredos region. Pizarra soil is located above 950 meters, up to 1200 meters, mainly with an eastern orientation. 

The wines from here have a signature expression: they are always fresh, complex, direct, and profound. Pizarra is a limited production wine produced from over 60-year-old, bush-trained garnacha vines, yielding 15hl/ha from the vineyards of Arrebatacapas, La Redonda, La Curva, Fuente Fabian, and Presidente. The farming at Pegaso is organic, and the wines are made with low intervention and minimal sulfur at bottling.

Producer Description 

Cebreros is both the name of the village and the appellation of origin in the southeast of the province of Ávila, within the greater Sierra de Gredos region, the mountainous area located on the continental divide of Spain. The region is unspoiled, wild, rustic, full of energy and light, and as authentic as it gets. It is a transitional zone where northern Spain gives way to southern Spain. The wines from the Sierra de Gredos mountains to the west of Madrid (aka Vinos de Madrid) have finally begun to claim their rightful place alongside other top wine regions focused on producing world-class garnacha. For many insiders, the region is now leading the conversation about this Mediterranean garnacha grape, now understood to be indigenous to Spain. 

Whole clusters are picked by hand in small boxes, with a strict selection made in the vineyard. The clusters are de-stemmed, crushed, and fermented spontaneously with native yeasts in stainless steel tanks and large neutral French oak foudres. The wine is then aged for 18 months in new and used 600L French oak barrels sourced from different forests.

Producer Description 

Bright ruby red. Clean and complex on the nose, Harmony of fruit with notable hints of fine oak. Well structured on the palate, savory and balanced. The wine shows great character and has a long persistence. Complex retro nasal, elegant with notes of quality wood toasts.

Producer Description 

Fine aromas of matured red fruits, red berries, cassis and toasted notes , sweet spicy nose  with a mineral touch. Pleasant and warm entry in the palate,  shows elegant earthy red fruits with a touch of well integrated oak, round tannins, finishes long and will go improving.

Drinks beautifully now and through 2026, and will gain in complexity and fineness with age. 

Producer Description 

Very modern white wine, made with the oldest vineyards of chardonnay and viura rioja. A well balanced wine, very fresh and fruity to enjoy ar any time of the year.

Critic Notes

Zekun Shuai writes:  Profound and intense nose with some tapenade, black beans and cocoa powder that gives depth to the already deep blackberries. Hints of dark spices and cigar box, too. Plenty of palpable tannins evenly melt into full-bodied palate with juicy dark fruit. Brooding and long finish. Cabernet sauvignon, syrah, merlot and petit verdot. Drink or hold.  - James Suckling 94

Luis Gutierrez writes:  The 2019 Selección Especial, cropped from a warm and dry year, is composed of 64% Tempranillo, 15% Cabernet sauvignon, 14% Syrah, 6% Merlot and 1% Petit Verdot and has 14.5% alcohol, coming through as riper than the 2020 I tasted next to it. It's also darker, round and powerful, with plenty of tannins, wide and concentrated. This is from a warm year, with lower yields, and it's a very powerful wine, balsamic with notes of aromatic herbs, a little more Mediterranean.  Drinking 2023 to 2028.  - Robert Parker Wine Advocate 92

Joaquin Hidalgo writes:  The 2019 Selección Especial is a blend of 69% Tempranillo, 13% Cabernet Sauvignon, 11% Syrah, 4% Merlot, 2% Graciano and 1% Petit Verdot from Abadía Retuerta in Castilla y León and was aged for 12 months in French and American oak barrels. Garnet-red with a purple sheen. Cedar complements plum, camphor and spice aromas on the nose. Dry and fairly fruity, the finely-grained tannins support a mild, polished mouthfeel. The 2019 is a cosmopolitan red.  Drinking 2023 to 2036.  - Vinous 92

Alison Napjus writes:  A rich range of ripe black and red currant, toast, ground coffee, licorice and vanilla notes are well-meshed with lively acidity and supple tannins in this red, which has a dusty feel. A balanced version, showing generosity and accessibility. Tempranillo, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Merlot, Petit Verdot and Garnacha. Drink now through 2029.   - Wine Spectator 90

Critic Notes

Luis Gutierrez writes:  The Albariño 2023 El Jardín de Lucía was produced by Zarate mixing grapes from different villages in Salnés, Meaño and Meis. It has an expressive nose that mixes white flowers and apples and is quite fresh and elegant. It has a moderate 12.5% alcohol, some more leesy aromas and a round palate, with pungent flavors and a gentle texture.  It was bottled in May 2024.  Drinking 2024 to 2027.  - Robert Parker Wine Advocate 92

Winemaker Notes

Winery Notes

Sindicat La Figuera is the recovery of an illusion, a project of 6 farmers from La Figuera. A unique village in Montsant, with a very special characteristics: located in the highest point of the region - 550m-, their garnatxa vines –the only varietal– planted in goblet and ages between 30 and 80 years old stand out for their personality and particularity.

The freshness of the altitude gives its wines hints of citrus and flowers that are not found in other wines in the area. If we add their traditional way of making wine in underground concrete tanks, here is the result: a light and fresh wine.