2009 Miguel Merino "Vitola" Reserva Rioja

Staff Reviews

GW

Gary Westby

Gary Westby

I can't think of a bottle of red wine under $20 that can compete with the Vitola from Miguel Merino. It has plenty of rich, dark fruit, is framed very nicely with a touch of vanilla oak, and finishes with great lift. This wine has great body and texture, and will be great with any number of meaty dishes, or just to drink after work. If you haven't had a Spanish wine in a while, try it! If you know you like Rioja, don't hesitate and take a case before it is gone!

Notes

A K&L Direct Import! This is our latest arrival from Miguel Merino, whom we like to call "the hardest working man in Rioja." Having begun his humble "retirement project" in the early 1990s by restoring an older bodega just down the hill from the historic town of Briones, Miguel either owns or rents to own a total of around 8 hectares of vines, all of which are located in Briones; not only is this village specific Rioja, but it happens to come from one of the most sought after villages in all of Rioja Alta, where many top bodegas have some of their most prized, older vineyards. For Vitola, Miguel uses fruit from vines (primarily Tempranillo with a bit of Garnacha, Graciano and Mazuelo) averaging 40 years of age. He is going for a modern classic style of wine, structured but both ageworthy and drinkable upon release. This 2009 really brings the fruit! Given that we are in Briones, Rioja, however, the wine also has intensity, chalky minerality and the authority of Rioja Alta fruit from mature vines. Some quick vine growing/winemaking notes: Organic (non-certified) vineyards, native yeast fermented, regular barrel topping, no fining and a very gentle filtration employed. Do not be shy about popping this open now, though it will certainly continue to improve and hold well for at least another 5 years. (Joe Manekin, K&L Spanish wine buyer)