Spanish Wine

Winemaker Description 

Casa Mariol is the revitalization of a century-old, family-owned wine business operating out of La Batea, a medieval town in the heart of Terra Alta. Their white vermouth follows the family's traditional recipe, with a wine base of the Macabeu variety, 100% from their own wines, macerated with more than 150 herbs selected from the locality and rested on its lees.

Brimming with fresh green herbs, bitter citrus and notes of anise and fennel, this verdant and dry vermut is balanced and fresh, perfect with a chill, on the rocks, with a splash of soda or in a martini.

Winemaker Description 

Codorniu Demi-Sec , as its name indicates, is the traditional cava par excellence, made using the three classic varieties from the D.O. Cava: Macabeo, Xarel-lo and Parellada. Its fresh, fruity and delicate aromas make it the ideal option for a pre-dinner aperitif. This Demi-Sec version is for those who like their cavas to be less dry. So if you want to raise an even sweeter toast, this is undoubtedly the cava for you! 

Winemaker Description

Very fresh nose with mineral notes and hints of red fruits, all from pinot noir. At the bottom it leaves light subtle notes of pastry which can be found in long aged cava. On the palate the minerality is more pronounced, together with a refreshing structure and also notes of Asian fruits. Acidity is present in the form of freshness and it is balanced with a small presence of sugars from disgorging.

Aromatic and elegant expression of an otherwise deep and dark flavored grape. Delicious aromas of flowers, red berries and black cherries, shadowed by notes of orange peel, spices and earth. Supple on the palate with silky tannins and a refreshingly mineral finish.

It has a bright ruby ​​color with the grip of the fine tannins and an herbal touch that provides freshness.

Winemaker Description

Old bush vines grown in the Alto Najerilla region, next to the Cardenas River, specifically within the triangle formed by the towns of Cordovín, Badarán and Cárdenas, at an altitude between 600 and 710 meters above sea level. 60%.

Expert Reviews

Luis Gutiérrez Wine Advocate 93 Points | The 2017 Viña Dorana replaces the Reserva, and it's a commitment to the Alto Najerilla vineyards, with a blend of 60% Tempranillo and 40% Garnacha. They believe the Alto Najerilla is one of the freshest places in Rioja, with the ability to produce sapid and sharp wines. They handled the élevage so that the barrels are in the background and the fruit at the forefront. Despite the very challenging year, the wine shows very well, with 14% alcohol and good freshness and balance. It has a supple, medium-bodied palate with very fine tannins and faint earthiness. It matured in French barrique for two years, followed by one more year in tank. It was bottled in January 2022. Drink: 2022-2027. (2017).

Peñín Guide to Spanish Wine 91 Points | 60% tempranillo, 40% garnacha). Colour: cherry, purple rim. Nose: ripe fruit, smoky, cpicy, dried herbs. Palate: fruity, flavourful, powerful, slightly dry, soft tannins. (2017).

Winemaker Description

Purple with ruby highlights, this wine shows up-front aromas of raspberries and black cherries with undertones of leather and spice. On the palate, it is expansive and rich.

Pair with lamb and apricot tajines, prime rib, tomato stews, or green lentil-based dishes.

Expert Ratings

Wine Enthusiast 93 Points  | This deep-hued wine has a bouquet of brambly fruits of the wood, coffee bean and dried sage. It opens with notes of mint and clove accompanied by sturdy tannins and ripe summer cherry, Mission fig, cocoa powder and dried thyme flavors. The lengthy finish is marked with menthol and pomegranate. (2015). 

Robert Parker 92 Points |  There is some more development in the 2015 Finca Valpiedra Reserva, which also feels a little riper (even if it's only 13.5% alcohol), showing the dry, warm and ripe character of the year but keeping a low pH of 3.47 and 6.2 grams of acidity. This is medium-bodied, although some will call them thin—and certainly, they are not full-bodied and round wines, they are sharper. This is a blend of 92% Tempranillo and 4% each Graciano and Maturana Tinta that matured in French oak barrels for 22 months. These wines are feeling a little more traditional than in the past.

James Suckling 92 Points | This shows notes of incense and smoke on the nose, together with spiced plums, blackberries, dark chocolate, licorice and a hint of tar. Medium-to full-bodied with firm tannins and bright acidity. Ripe, yet juicy and succulent, with a rich finish. Drink or hold.

Winemaker Description

Aromas of ripe black fruit with light toast and spices. Very powerful, yet elegant, on the palate. Notes of ripe, jammy fruit with subtle toasted notes, with soft tasty tannins and a long, lingering finish.

Winemaker Description

Old vines located at the foot of the two mountain ranges that frame the Ebro River valley, where the grapes provide greater fruit character. 35% Tempranillo from the highest area of Samaniego near the Sierra Cantabria mountains and 65% Garnacha from Alto Najerilla, in the triangle formed by the towns of Badarán, Cordovín and Cárdenas, in the Sierra Demanda mountains.

Tempranillo and Garnacha are fermented separately. 100% destemmed, but without crushing. Cold fermentation with native yeast and a short maceration. Subsequently, the two wines are blended and refined in concrete for approximately 5 months. 

Winemaker Description

Medium body with red berry and spice notes. 

Critic Notes

Josh Raynolds writes: Extremely pale onion skin. Peach pit, dried pear, ginger and a hint of beeswax on the pungent nose. Chewy and focused on the palate, offering nicely concentrated orchard and citrus fruit flavors that pick up a subtle floral accent on the back half. Finishes with very good persistence, leaving notes of chamomile, honeysuckle and bitter pear skin behind. Drinking 2021 to 2025. - Vinous 92

Luis Gutierrez writes:  The young white 2018 Señorío de P. Peciña Cosecha Blanco is quite pale, young and fruit-driven, as it corresponds to an unoaked Viura fermented in stainless steel with indigenous yeasts and bottled quite early. It's clean and harmonious, with aromas of white pear and flowers, quite elegant. The palate is fresh, but the wine has weight and fills your mouth; 2018 is a cool vintage and it shows. The flavors are focused and clean, and there is a pleasant bitter twist on the finish.  - Robert Parker Wine Advocate 90

Sarah Jane Evans MW, Matthew Forster MW, Beth Willard write:  Aromatic with honeysuckle, white roses. Fresh lemon and grapefruit pith combine with spicy, woody notes and cinnamon. A long, savoury finish.  Drinking 2021 to 2025.  - Decanter 90

Winemaker Notes

Pale straw-yellow color with green hints. Fresh and clean on the nose with hints of green apple and peach. On the palate, this wine has good acidity and offers herbal hints and notes of green fruits. 

Critic Notes

Zekun Shuai writes:  A bright and juicy Rioja Crianza with some refined oak that adds a discreet creaminess to the vibrant red fruit. Plums, cherries and a hint of tobacco. Medium-bodied, with a juicy palate and a long, creamy finish, featuring bright red berries, cherries and vanilla at the end. Drink now.  - James Suckling 91

Joaquin Hidalgo writes:  The 2019 Crianza Altos Ibéricos is a Tempranillo from Rioja Alta and Alavesa, aged for 12 months in French and American oak barrels. With a garnet hue, it features blackberry and herb aromas, with subtle cherry notes. Dry and plush on the palate, it leaves a balanced and lingering impression with an expressive final whiff.  Drinking 2024 to 2029.  - Vinous 90

Winemaker Notes

The wine has a dark cherry red color that is very opaque. It has intense and fragrant aromas, with exquisite fruit notes of raspberry jam and spicy hints of green peppercorn. There is also a pleasant note that reminds of toasted bread. On the palate, the wine is warm and has velvety, juicy tannins that are well balanced by the oak aging. 

Winemaker Description

Made from 10 to 15 year-old selected vineyards, located in different villages of Rioja. This wine is made to be enjoyed as an every day wine as we say in Spain "Vino de Trago largo".

With a background of red fruits, it is a fruit driven wine, with spicy notes. It is a varietal wine, made of tempranillo, reflecting the traditional Crianza wines of Rioja.

Winemaker Description

Attractive color,colored, pillory red with violet reflects. Very fruity on the nose, hazelnut and  vanilla notes. Unctuous on mouth solid structure, mature tannins and sweets, armonious and long.

Winemaker Description

Winemaker Description

Dark ruby in the glass, this wine has a nose of black cherry, cranberry and aniseed. It is very soft on impact, with flavors of raspberry, cassis, milk chocolate and licorice. Satiny tannins hold off on the palate at first, make their presence known and then slip away in time for a bright finish. 

This wine exhibits a delicate pale orange hue, captivating the eyes with its alluring tint. On the nose, subtle yet enticing aromas unfold, evoking nostalgic memories of ripe red fruits, juicy strawberries, and luscious cherries. Upon tasting, the wine greets the palate with a linear entry, unveiling a harmonious balance between fruit and acidity. Winemaker Description. 

Winemaker Description 

This extra fine cream sherry comes exclusively from select vineyards in the “Zona de Jerez Superior,” the world’s finest area for production of sherry.

Winemaker Description 

Matusalem is a 30 year old blend of Oloroso and PX. It shows an intense mahogany color with profound aromas of dried fruits, raisins, spices and mature oak. On the palate it is smooth, sweet, long and velvety. This wine has an interesting bittersweet finish due to the sweetness of the PX and the bitter tannins from the oak. Ideal with mature cheeses and blue cheese such as Stilton. Also perfect as a dessert wine with apple pie. Serve chilled. 

Expert Reviews 

96 Points Decanter | Perfumed with inviting layers of coffee, almond savoury herb and spice, then to a luxurious palate of caraway, orange zest, molasses and bitter chocolate.

94 Points Wine Enthusiast | Forget about Sherry styles, Matusalem operates in its own zone with its own rules. An intense, smoky nose shows charred barrel notes and prune aromas. A rich but snappy palate is not the least bit sticky, while deep flavors of chocolate, coffee, vanilla and molasses finish with grace.

90 Points Wine Spectator | Walnut, halva, raisin and buckwheat honey notes are layered, backed by hints of bitter almond and toasted pecan. Shows good energy for a cream style, with the bitter edge imparting length and cut.

Bright golden amber in colour, the nose is intense recalling dried apricots and toast from the wine’s tender years under flor. Aged 12 years and 100% Palomino, the palate is structured, bright and energetic with layers of flavours including walnuts and salted caramel, without sweetness.

The finish is long and complex with tobacco at the end. To serve slightly chilled with charcuterie, cheese or with a game. Winemaker Description. 

Expert Reviews 

Wine Spectator 91 Points | Takes a flattering approach, featuring a lightly sweet, rounded edge to the date, blood orange, toasted pecan and fruitcake aromas and flavors, with toasted marshmallow and bourbon-glazed peach notes on the finish. Drink now.

Wine Enthusiast 93 Points | Aromas of burnt orange and baking spices are upright and snappy for a Sherry that s fairly creamy. Fine acidity is what keeps this on an even keel and what gives lift to flavors of caramel, brown sugar and candied walnut. This is full and voluminous on the finish. 

Winemaker Description

Enjoy your BR on the go with the new format: Sparkling BORN ROSÉ canned wine. You can also opt for the Canned Rosé wine version.

Crafted from a mix of Grenache Noir and Tempranillo grapes, BORN ROSÉ Barcelona is both organic and vegan, and is light on sulphites and alcohol. Born in Barcelona.

WE DON'T MAKE WINE. WE MAKE ROSÉ. Winemaker Description. 

Winemaker Description

Villapanes is a rich mahogany color and boasts seductive, toasty aromas of almonds, caramel, fig and a hint of floral perfume. On the palate it is dry, generous and full-bodied, with persistent and lasting flavors.

Pair with roast poultry, red meat or salty, aged cheeses. 

Expert Reviews 

93 Points Wine Spectator | A shade darker than its peers, relying more on black walnut, Brazil nut and singed orange peel notes, while dried persimmon and quince flavors add a succulent side. Light rye and green tea hints echo through the razor-sharp finish, where sweet details peek in.

91 Points Robert Parker | The NV Villapanes Oloroso wears a dark amber-brown robe and has a very intense nose, showing some marmalade, dark tobacco and brandy notes. The palate is textbook Oloroso, round, ample, warm, a little spirity, ending with dry walnut flavors. It manages to balance power and elegance quite well.

91 Points Wine & Spirits | Dominated by notes of salted almonds, this Oloroso has its fair share of sweetness to balance that saline side, making it more readily accessible to a wider range of palates and fitting perfectly with smoked pork.

Winemaker Description

Very dry, crisp and fresh with a slightly salty finish. Winemaker Description. 

Expert Review

93 Points Wine & Spirits | Deliciosa grows at the Pago Miraflores in Sanlúcar de Barrameda and it’s typically aged for five years under flor. This lastest saca shows a lovely mix of almond flavors, salt and white fruit, all melding into the wine’s deep mineral notes. It’s substantial enough to serve in the company of blackened redfish.

Winemaker Description 

The Habla la Tierra is a cuvée of Tempranillo, Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah. The grapes come from quite young vines planted around 2000 on slate soils. After the harvest, the grapes were cool pre-fermented and then fermented in stainless steel fermenters. This was followed by ageing in French wood for four to five months. 
Color

The Habla de la Tierra presents itself juicy ripe, dark and spicy on the nose. The unusual cuvée of Tempranillo, Cabernet and Syrah alternates between the scent of freshly sliced plums, figs, ripe elderberries, peonies and black pepper as well as anise, earthy pray and black tea. In addition, one thinks one can already perceive a trace of extract sweetness in the fragrance.
Palate

The Habla la Tierra 2021 shows itself very juicy on the palate. The dark fruit is ripe and accompanied by earthy aromas and herbal spice. In addition, a cool, fresh vein runs through the wine, while the tannin proves to be ripe and delicate. The red wine is down-to-earth in the most pleasant sense, uncomplicated and easy to drink, and at the same time it has character. Currently, it should be caraffed.
Food recommendations by Christoph Raffelt.

Spanish blood sausage - with braised apples and onions with mashed potatoes
Braised rabbit with sage and piment d'Espelette. Spelt Salad with Roasted Peppers and Feta. Winemaker Description.

Winemaker Description 

With an average age of four and a half years, Manzanilla La Guita en rama displays all the freshness, smoothness and fine minerality expected of this type of wine. An authentic treasure in 37.5 cl format , ideal for those looking to get started in the exciting "manzanilla universe". 

Deep garnet red in color. On the nose it is serious and elegant. The evolution in the glass translates into an increase in intensity and aromatic complexity where fruit continues to be the backbone of the wine. On the palate it has a well-structured body with ripe, silky tannins. Easy to drink with a persistent aftertaste. Winemaker Description. 

Winemaker Description

Viña Real is made from grapes grown in Rioja Alavesa where the people of the villages are dedicated almost totally to grape growing, this being a deep rooted tradition, passed down from generation to generation. The grapes which make up Viña Real Crianza are sourced from their own vineyards in Laguardia and from their trusted providers in Rioja Alavesa who have supplied them for many years. 

Expert Reviews

93 Points James Suckling | High-toned, floral aromas with orange peel and crushed blackberries. Medium-bodied with tight, chewy tannins that are polished and intense. Serious length and focus. Very drinkable now, but even better in 2024. (2019). 

91 Points Robert Parker | The fruit-driven, ripe and heady 2019 Viña Real Crianza was produced with 90% Tempranillo and the rest between Garnacha Tinta, Mazuelo and Graciano from a vineyard in the Sonsierra zone (call it Rioja Alavesa if you like). It has 13.75% alcohol and a pH of 3.6 and is polished and easy to understand and like. It has plenty of tannins; it calls for food. The oak is soft and integrated. (2019).

90 James Suckling | A fresh and zingy albarino with sliced green apples and lime zest. Elegant on the palate with a fresh streak of acidity cutting it through, before a slightly saline finish.

Fruit-forward and lively on the palate, containing aromas of citrus, tropical fruit and freshly cut green apple. Winemaker Description. 

Winemaker Description 

100% Palomino and aged for 5 years in bota, this is an invigorating white wine with a subtle, floral, mineral nose. Great intensity with sea breeze salinity running through an impressive structure, there is tension on the palate. 

The yeasty, baked bread flavours are in balance with apricots and golden apples. In the mouth the texture is silky and round, with an extremely long and clean finish. A unique style of Manzanilla to be served chilled with food or as an aperitif. 

Winemaker Description

Ruby red color. Medium-high intensity with the presence of tears, clean and bright. Frank and complex on the nose. With hints of red fruit from the fresh vineyards of Rioja Alta. Balsamic and spicy aromas, all in perfect balance with the aromas of leather, tobacco leaf and tea after bottle ageing. Long on the palate, with fresh acidity, creamy and pleasant tannins. In short, a balanced wine, in harmony and ready to enjoy.

Perfect pairing with international food (curry, “ceviche” and spiced dishes) or traditional food, such as red and bush meats, also with cured cheeses.

Critic Review

92 Points James Suckling | Black berry fruit, oreo biscuits, olives, peppercorns and smoked meat on the nose. It’s medium-bodied, with juicy and savory layers accompanied by integrated tannins. Fresh and very drinkable. Vegan.

Winemaker Description 

Contrabandista has a nutty aroma with toffee-caramel tones and a rich finish. Serve slightly chilled as an aperitif or pair with creamy cheeses and pates. 

Pale rose color, with fine and persistent bubbles. Hints of red and citrus fruits dominate on the nose. On the palate, fresh, lively, and genuine, characteristic of the ancestral País varietal. Winemaker Description.

Zekun Shuai writes:  A clean and slightly acidic sauvignon blanc with gooseberries, guava and chalk. Medium body on the palate with bright acidity and light mid-palate flavors. Drink now. Glass stopper.  - James Suckling

Habla de Ti 2022 is an enchanting white wine, captivating with its vivacity and lightness. On the nose, it unfurls a spectrum of scents reminiscent of crisp green asparagus and sweet mango, complemented by an herbaceous hint of tomato leaf. Upon tasting, its exuberant nature is affirmed with flavors of tropical fruits that pirouette across the palate, leaving a lasting and exceedingly delightful impression. This wine is a feast for the senses, perfect for savoring at any given opportunity.