• Cellar Selection,  Garnacha,  Graciano,  Haro,  Mazuelo,  Spain,  Tempranillo

    Cellar Selection

    R. Lopez de Heredia Vina Tondonia Gran Reserva 1980 It all started in the middle of the nineteenth century when French negociants visited the Rioja region to find alternative sources of quality grapes to transform into wine, since the phylloxera epidemic had decimated their vineyards. Don Rafael López de Heredia y Landeta, a knowledgeable and enthusiastic student in the art of wine making, followed closely in their footsteps. Don Rafael fell in love with the region and especially the area around Haro, the mythical capital of the Rioja Alta region. He observed that there was a magical combination of soil and climate that would offer the perfect environment for producing…

  • Cellar Selection,  Garnacha,  Graciano,  Mazuelo,  Spain,  Tempranillo

    Cellar Selection

    R. Lopez de Heredia Vina Tondonia Reserva 2004 It all started in the middle of the nineteenth century when French negociants visited the Rioja region to find alternative sources of quality grapes to transform into wine, since the phylloxera epidemic had decimated their vineyards. Don Rafael López de Heredia y Landeta, a knowledgeable and enthusiastic student in the art of wine making, followed closely in their footsteps. Don Rafael fell in love with the region and especially the area around Haro, the mythical capital of the Rioja Alta region. He observed that there was a magical combination of soil and climate that would offer the perfect environment for producing wine…

  • Cellar Selection,  Garnacha,  Graciano,  Mazuelo,  Rioja,  Spain,  Tempranillo

    Cellar Selection

    R. Lopez de Heredia Vina Tondonia Gran Reserva 1995 It all started in the middle of the nineteenth century when French negociants visited the Rioja region to find alternative sources of quality grapes to transform into wine, since the phylloxera epidemic had decimated their vineyards. Don Rafael López de Heredia y Landeta, a knowledgeable and enthusiastic student in the art of wine making, followed closely in their footsteps. Don Rafael fell in love with the region and especially the area around Haro, the mythical capital of the Rioja Alta region. He observed that there was a magical combination of soil and climate that would offer the perfect environment for producing…

  • Cellar Selection,  Garnacha,  Graciano,  Haro,  Mazuelo,  Rioja,  Spain,  Tempranillo

    Cellar Selection

    Bodegas Muga 2010 Rioja Selección Especial Reserva The Muga wine cellars were founded in 1932 by Isaac Muga Martínez who originated from a family with strong ties to the winemaking industry. On the death of the founder in 1969, his children Manuel, Isabel and Isaac Muga Caño took over the reins. Two years later in 1971, they moved their headquarters to their present location in the traditional Station District on the outskirts of Haro. Bodegas Muga has continued to grow as the years have passed but it has never lost the spirit of a family-run company. The winery controls every step of the viticultural and vinification process from the vineyards…

  • Cellar Selection,  Garnacha,  Graciano,  Mazuelo,  Rioja,  Spain,  Tempranillo

    Cellar Selection

    Muga 2006 Gran Reserva Prado Enea Since the XVII century, the Muga family has been linked to the wine world and to the area of Rioja. Fast forward to 1932 when Bodega Muga Winery was founded and today the winery operates with the same principals it did almost 100 years ago.  Muga also has its own cooperage and is able to control the right touch of oak desired in its offerings. Bodegas Muga vineyards are located on the foot of the Montes Obarenses, within the area called Rioja Alta. The site climate is exceptional due to, on the one hand, the singular geography and orientation of the vines and on…

  • Cabernet Sauvignon,  Cellar Selection,  Graciano,  Rioja,  Spain,  Tempranillo

    Cellar Selection

    Campillo 1996 Reserva Especial Bodegas Campillo represents the culmination of the accumulated experience of four generations of winemakers who sought a site at the heart of Rioja Alavesa, Laguardia. Strategically placed in a location in which all key factors: altitude, climate, soil and terrain are ideally suited for growing grapes and ageing their wines. Juilio Faustino Martínez always had the dream of creating a winery surrounded by vineyards, thus transforming the concept of château to the land of Rioja wine. To this end he started his project by acquiring 35 hectares of land near Laguardia in the 1980s which were later expanded to 50. After several years, in 1988, everything…

  • Cellar Selection,  Garnacha,  Graciano,  Mazuelo,  Spain,  Tempranillo

    Cellar Selection

    Muga 2005 Gran Reserva Prado Enea Since the XVII century, the Muga family has been linked to the wine world and to the area of Rioja.  Fast forward to 1932 when Bodega Muga winery was founded and today the winery operates with the same principals it did almost 100 years ago.  Muga also has its own cooperage and is able to control the right touch of oak desired in its offerings. Opening a bottle, which I let sit for about an hour, the color was a glistening bright ruby.  The nose was clean with plenty of ripe red and black fruit with a touch of spice and herbs.  The wine…

  • Garnacha,  Graciano,  Mazuelo,  Spain,  Tempranillo,  Weekend Selection

    Weekend Selection

    Muga 2009 Reserva Unfiltered Since the XVII century, the Muga family has been linked to the wine world and to the area of Rioja.  Fast forward to 1932 when Bodega Muga Winery was founded and today the winery operates with the same principals it did almost 100 years ago.  Muga also has its own cooperage and is able to control the right touch of oak desired in its offerings. Opening a bottle, which I let sit for about an hour, the color was a glistening deep ruby.  The nose was clean with plenty of ripe red and black fruit with a touch of spice.  The wine is made from 70%…

  • Graciano,  Rioja,  Spain,  Tempranillo,  Weekend Selection

    Weekend Selection

    Ramón Bilbao 2005 Gran Reserva Bodegas Ramón Bilbao was founded by Ramón Bilbao Murga, an experienced wine trader who had been selling wine since 1896 from premises at Calle Las Cuevas in Haro. Ramón Bilbao was a forward-looking grape grower; a pioneer in the art of ageing.  The winery was handed down from one generation to the next until the year 1966, when Ramón Bilbao Pozo, the last of the descendants, died.  The business was converted into a corporation with new shareholders.  New facilities were built, also in Haro.  The new company wished to continue the work of its founder, Ramón Bilbao, and concentrated on making aged wines.  The family…

  • Cellar Selection,  Graciano,  Rioja,  Spain,  Tempranillo

    Cellar Selection

    La Rioja Alta S.A. 2001 Gran Reserva 904 On the 10th of July 1890, five Basque and Rioja families shared their passion for wine and founded “Sociedad Vinicola De La Rioja Alta” in what is known as the Haro Station District.  La Rioja Alta, S.A.  That day was the start of an ongoing searching for excellence that their descendants still pursue today.  The company changed its name to “LA RIOJA ALTA” in 1891, and in 1941 the company took on its present name, LA RIOJA ALTA, S.A.  A year later, chairman of the board, Leandro Ardanza Angulo, the renowned brand name, “Viña Ardanza”, was registered. To give you a little…