Wrongo Dongo 2008

$8.40 – 750 mL

Wine Advocate, 88 points
“The label has been changed but the wine is up to standard. The 2008 Wrongo Dongo is 100% Monastrell sourced from a Gil family estate vineyard. Purple-colored and exceptionally fragrant, the nose gives up notes of underbrush, mineral, spice box, and blueberry. Round, smooth, and easy-going on the palate, this wine would make a first-class match with paella. Drink it over the next three years.”

IWC, 87 points
“Inky ruby. Smoky blackberry and cherry aromas are complemented by notes of cracked pepper and dried flowers; smells like a syrah. Firm, focused dark fruit flavors gain sweetness with air and pick up slightly bitter tannins. The finish repeats the blackberry note, leaving a zesty, peppery quality behind. Lots of bang for the buck here.”

Garnacha de Fuego 2008

$8.00 – 750 mL

Wine Advocate, 89 points
“The grapes for this new project were sourced from 60- to 80-year-old vines whose already low yields were reduced an additional 70% by the weather conditions of the vintage. A glass-coating opaque purple, remarkably deep for a wine of this price made from Garnacha, the wine offers a nose of brooding black cherry and blueberry. Concentrated, ripe, and balanced on the palate, this flavorful, lengthy effort will drink well over the next four years. It is an outstanding value.”

IWC, 88 points
“(from vines reportedly between 60 and 80 years of age) Inky purple color. Potent aromas of blackberry, blueberry, olive and violet; smells like a syrah, and a good one at that. Chewy dark berry and bitter cherry flavors are framed by dusty tannins that give way to the fruit on the firm, focused back end. This represents incredible value.”

Borsao 2008

$7.90 – 750 mL

Wine Advocate, 88 points
“The 2008 Borsao is a blend of 80% Garnacha and 20% Tempranillo. Purple-colored with an expressive aromatic array of black cherry and blackberry, this well-balanced, lengthy effort is another terrific value from Bodegas Borsao.”

IWC, 89 points
“(80% garnacha and 20% tempranillo) Vivid purple color. Intensely floral scents of violet, rose, raspberry, blackberry and Asian spices. A step up in complexity from the Vina Borgia and Monte Oton, with an extra aromatic dimension and impressive, sweet berry character. The finish is bright, focused and way, way more persistent than a $9 wine should be.”

Urban Uco Malbec/Temp 2008

$11.00 – 750 mL

Wine Advocate, 90 points
“The 2008 Tempranillo (50%)-Malbec (50%) has an intriguing bouquet of blackberry, blueberry, violets, and ground coffee. Ripe, layered, and sweetly-fruited, this flavorful wine over delivers in a big way. Drink it over the next 5 years.”

Wine Spectator, 88 points
“Fresh, with forward black cherry, raisin, roasted vanilla bean and sandalwood notes, backed by a juicy, medium-weight finish. Drink now.”

Urban Uco Malbec 2008

$11.00 – 750 mL

Wine Advocate, 89 points
“The 2008 Urban Eco Malbec was aged for 3 months in barrel. A glass-coating opaque purple, it has a nose offering up spice box, incense, and black cherry. Ripe and sweetly-fruited, it has intense flavors, excellent depth, and a lengthy finish. Drink it over the next 4 years.”

Wine Spectator, 89 points
“Fresh and pure, with a juicy beam of dark raspberry and boysenberry fruit intertwined with floral and anise hints. There’s a nice supple finish. Delicious. Drink now.”

Urban Maule Blend 2008

Out of Stock

Wine Advocate, 89 points
“The 2008 Urban, a blend of Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Carignan, and Cabernet Sauvignon, has a remarkably complex perfume for its humble price. Blackcurrant, blackberry, spice box, and violet aromas are followed by a layered wine with plenty of ripe fruit, excellent balance, and a fruit-filled finish. It too can be enjoyed over the next three years.”

IWC, 88 points
“(41% merlot, 29% cabernet franc, 22% carignan and 8% cabernet sauvignon) Vivid red. Red berries and cherry on the high-toned nose. Tangy redcurrant and bitter cherry flavors show strong mineral spine and are framed by dusty tannins. This youthfully taut blend finishes with good clarity and an echo of zesty minerals.”

Wine Spectator, 87 points
“Good plum and boysenberry fruit is laced with fruitcake and sweet spice notes. Ripe and forward, but stays fresh. Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Carignan and Cabernet Sauvignon. Drink now.”

Sierra Cantabria 2007

$12.00 – 750 mL

Wine Advocate, 89 points
“The estate-bottled 2007 Sierra Cantabria was aged for six months in tank and six months in seasoned French and American oak. Dark ruby in color, it has an alluring nose of violets, mineral, incense, and blackberry. In the mouth it shows off some finesse with its silky, easy-going personality. This expressive Rioja finishes with no hard edges. Drink it over the next three years.”

IWC, 88 points
“(100% tempranillo from high-altitude vineyards) Deep red. Strawberry and dried cherry aromas are lifted by an enticing floral element and complicated by notes of cured meat and underbrush. Sweet, silky and fine-grained, with firm acids energizing the raspberry and floral flavors. Dusty tannins add solid grip and carry through the long, spicy finish. With air, the red fruits come on strong, suggesting that this deserves decanting or some more cellar time. Definitely not a modern style of Rioja.”

Venta Morales 2008

$7.00 – 750 mL

Wine Advocate, 89 points
“The 2008 Venta Morales is a phenomenal value. Sourced from a 32-year-old vineyard with tiny yields of two tons per acre, the wine was fermented and raised in stainless steel. It reveals a remarkably deep color for its humble price, fragrant black cherry aromas, ripe, round, savory fruit on the palate, and excellent depth and length. It over-delivers in a very big way.”

IWC, 88 points
“Inky purple. Fresh cherry and dark berries on the nose, with a hint of smoke coming up with air. Firm and focused, with dried red and dark fruit flavors and chewy tannins. Nothing jammy about this wine. The finish is firm, dusty and nicely persistent. A steal.”

Wine Spectator, 86 points
“This modern red shows good density, with black cherry, licorice and smoke flavors over firm tannins, finishing fresh and clean. Drink now through 2011.”

Campos Reales 2008

$7.00 – 750 mL

Wine Advocate, 87 points

IWC, 88 points
“(100% tempranillo) Bright purple. Fresh red berries and candied cherry on the nose. Taut, focused dark berry flavors are complemented by notes of licorice and smoke, with no tannins to be found. Finishes slightly clenched, with an echo of dark berries. This is one serious bargain.”

Paso A Paso Verdejo 2008

$8.50 – 750 mL

Wine Advocate, 86 points
“The 2008 Paso a Paso Verdejo is the first Verdejo made in La Mancha. Medium straw-colored, it reveals notes of mineral and fresh lemon. Medium-bodied, crisp, and tasty, this nicely balanced effort has a refreshing finish. It is a very good value considering that most Verdejos from Rueda begin at an average of $14.”

IWC, 88 points
“Light, bright gold. Spicy lemon and lime aromas are complemented by deeper notes of toasty lees and anise. Fleshy citrus and stone fruit flavors are braced by a gentle mineral note, which adds back-end snap. Finishes crisp and persistent for a wine at this price point.”

Wine Spectator, 88 points
“This smooth, medium-bodied white delivers an interesting mix of smoke, bitter orange, blanched almond and kumquat flavors, with lively acidity and a fresh finish. Drink now.”

Protocolo Tinto 2007

$7.00 – 750 mL

$14.00 – 1.5 L

Wine Advocate, 86 points
“The 2007 Tinto is 100% Tempranillo. Dark ruby-colored, it delivers spicy black cherry aromas leading to an easy-going, nicely balanced tapas wine for drinking over the next two years ”

IWC, 88 points
“(100% tempranillo) Opaque purple. Deep, smoky aromas of cherry and dark berries, with notes of cracked pepper and black tea adding power; smells like an old school California petite sirah. Very rich and chewy, dominated by deep dark fruit flavors. Most wines at anything close to this price are refreshing and grapey at best but this displays a seriousness that is a real shock. Finishes with good grip, silky tannins and a persistent note of dark berries. An outstanding value.”

Urban Uco Torrontes 2009

$8.90 – 750 mL

2008 Vintage awarded 87 points by Wine Spectator, 89 points by Wine Advocate

Vega Sindoa Cabernet Sauvignon 2007

$13.00 – 750 mL

IWC, 89 points
“Bright ruby. Spicy red- and blackcurrant aromas are complemented by deeper notes of dark chocolate and tobacco. Very cabernet in character but more filled in than one expects at this price point, offering sweet cherry and dark berry flavors and a jolt of spicy herbs. Very fresh on the finish, which repeats the cherry and spice notes. I’d love to see this next to almost any Napa cabernet selling for double or even triple this price.”