The Ramirez de la Piscina family of San Vicente have been farming grapes in this historic village since the 13th century. oday, they produce small quantities of extremely classical Rioja wines from estate and long-term contracted vineyards in San Vicente and Abalos, two of the most important villages in the Sonsierra Riojana, a geographic "triangle" of quality between San Vicente, Abalos, and Labastida.
Hopefully, you're not getting sick and tired of hearing about all the incredible wines I tasted in Spain and the exciting discoveries we brought back. Because, quite frankly, I'm nowhere near finished talking about them!
Today, I want to shine the spotlight on an absolutely stunning Rioja Crianza from Ramírez de la Piscina, a winery that has quickly reminded me why I love this region so much.
Founded in 1973 and producing wines exclusively from their estate vineyards, Ramírez de la Piscina represents a decidedly old-school approach to Rioja. These are wines rooted in tradition, made with a commitment to quality, and, perhaps best of all, offering some of the greatest values you'll find anywhere in the region.
Case in point: the 2021 Ramírez de la Piscina Crianza.
This beauty earned an impressive 96 points from Decanter, yet somehow lands on our shelves for just $18.99.
Let that sink in for a moment.
We're talking about a wine that drinks like a $30 bottle but costs less than $20. It's everything I love about discovering wines from producers who let what's in the bottle do the talking rather than the price tag.
Now, for the bad news...
I'm officially filing this one under the "What Was I Thinking?" category.
And no, I don't mean, "What was I thinking buying this wine?"
I mean, "WHAT WAS I THINKING ONLY BUYING FIVE CASES?!"
Seriously. Five cases. That's it.
The good news? We've already got more on the way from Spain. The bad news? What's here now might not last very long.
So if you're looking for a terrific Rioja that delivers way more than its price suggests, I'd strongly recommend grabbing a few bottles this weekend.
And if we sell out before you get here, don't worry. More is coming.
2021 Ramírez de la Piscina Crianza Rioja — $18.99 | 96 Points, Decanter
Sometimes the best wine discoveries come with a little regret. In this case, mine is simply that I didn't buy enough!