Best Buys $10 And Under

Natural / Sustainable

93+ points Wine Advocate
The eponymous flagship village white 2023 Albamar… has clarity, purity and transparency, which seems to define the 2023 vintage, and it is floral and perfumed but serious, with a vibrant palate. It is easy to drink, with moderate alcohol, good freshness… and finishes with a salty touch. It's very tasty, one of the finest vintages-if not the finest-for this bottling, which has also grown in volume

Albamar is located on the northwestern coast of Spain where the wines are heavily influenced by the atlantic ocean. Albarino has become one of the great white grapes of Spain and Xurxo Alba has become one of its benchmark producers. He is the living personification of Albarino and his wine is salty and refreshing like the kiss of a mermaid. We don’t know from experience but he does. 12.5% abv

95 points James Suckling
Savory aromas of subtle earthy berries, oranges, iron and hints of walnut, tobacco and mushrooms. Fine tannins with high acidity on the palate with juicy, savory berries and a long, citrusy finish. A hint of tertiary caramel character at the end, making this very complex and complete. Drink now or in the next 10-15 years.

93 points Wine Advocate
The 2012 Viña Bosconia Reserva is perhaps a little too young (María José López de Heredia likes more polished wines, and for her this wine was too tough), with some tannins and the chalky texture from the limestone soils. This blend of Tempranillo with 15% Garnacho and 5% between Graciano and Mazuelo matured in used American oak barrels for five years. 80,000 bottles produced. It was bottled in May 2019.

Organic

"The Flying Bicycle" is Germán Blanco's new project in Rioja Baja. With the help of an old friend and fellow oenologist, Javier Collio, Germán sources fruit from certified organic vineyards in the Navarra part of the appellation. The vineyards are dry-farmed and have an average age of thirty-five years old, grown in a mix of clay and limestone. The wine is made in a cellar in San Adrian, following the Milú philosophy: "happy wines made from happy grapes" is how he defines it. The grapes are de-stemmed and fermented in cold temperature from native yeasts. A slight maceration before the end of fermentation helps to make a delicate and fresh wine; no oak is used, and the wine stays in concrete tanks from five to six months

92 points James Suckling
Attractive aromas of sweet spices, smoke and seaweed. Some roasted nuts. Hints of Iberico ham. Medium-bodied with a nice rounded character to the tannins and juicy fruit. Pure tempranillo. Drink now.

92 points John Gilman
The 2019 Rioja Vina Alberdi Reserva from La Rioja Alta is made entirely from tempranillo, with the vines at least forty years of age. The wine is aged entirely in small American oak barrels for two years, with the first year in new wood and the second in ôthree wineö barrels. The wine is excellent on both the nose and palate, with the bouquet offering up a complex blend of red and black raspberries, woodsmoke, a touch of spiced meats, chalky soil tones, cloves, nutmeg, a touch of nutskin and a nice mix of smoky and toasted coconutty oak scents. On the palate the wine is pure, full-bodied, focused and complex, with superb depth of fruit, lovely soil inflection and grip, moderate, buried tannins and fine balance on the long, complex and classy finish. This is already very tasty, but it has plenty of well-integrated tannins still on the finish and 74 tucking it away in the cellar for four or five years will result in a more velvety and complex wine. Fine juice. 2024-2055+.

91 points Vinous Media
The 2019 Reserva Vina Alberdi is 100% Tempranillo, sourced from Labastida, Rioja Alavesa and aged for two years in American oak barrels. Garnet in color, the bouquet features vanilla and ripe plum notes along with hints of balsamic and caramel. Dry and juicy on the palate, the polished tannins and silky flow lead to a fairly nimble finishùa delicate Rioja red. Vina Alberdi is characterised by a notable food-pairing versatility. It is an ideal companion to appetisers, snacks and barbecues, perfect with rice, pastas and stews, and great with lightly-grilled meat and fish

Made by Marques de Riscal of Rioja.

The Llopart does an extremely gentle press in a vertical basket press. Maximum permitted yields of must per weight of grapes is 66.66% - the Llopart family does not extract past 45-50%. The semi-unpressed grapes are sold off to a local cooperative. The must ferments in temperature controlled stainless steel tanks and is aged sur lie for four months before being returned to bottle. The secondary fermentation is carried out in the bottle in underground cellars.

The Llopart family were granted their family estate in 1385, making them one of the oldest growers in Penedès. They founded their company for the production of sparkling wines in 1887, making them the second oldest house for sparkling wine in Spain, and the oldest family-owned sparkling wine house in the country. They own 500 Ha of land, 95 of which are planted to organically certified vineyards. In 2017, Llopart became one of the six founding members of CORPINNAT, an new recognized classification for premium organically farmed sparkling wines from heart of Penedès. Llopart were pioneers in the production of Rosé sparkling wines and were one of the first producers to make rosé sparkling from exclusively red varieties.

Organic / Natural

Owned by the Suriol family, Cellers de Can Suriol del Castell is known for making wines and vintage Cava with personality in the organic winemaking tradition. They make wines under the Suriol brand which are all estate bottled fruit and then they make the Azimut line from purchased grapes from their neighbors, all of whom work organically. The Can Suriol vineyards and winery are situated in Alt Penedes, Province of Barcelona, Catalunya. This region is justifiably famous for producing fine wines and cava. The cultivation of the Can Suriol vineyards is done by 100% organic methods as certified by the CCPAE (until 2007 NOP certification). - Jenny & Francois

Organic

Organic / Biodynamic

A previous vintage was featured in The New York Times article: 20 Wines Under $20: For When the Weather Is Sultry by Eric Asimov

"Several efforts are underway to differentiate conscientiously produced cava from the run-of-the-mill stuff that dominates the category. The Clàssic Penedès appellation is one of them. Those producers under this classification must make their own wines, instead of buying them. If they grow grapes, they must farm organically, and the wines must be aged at least 15 months after the initial fermentation. Loxarel farms biodynamically, and makes this wine with the three classic cava grapes, parellada, macabeu and xarello (of which Loxarel is an anagram). For a $15 wine, this bottle has great delicacy and finesse."

Organic / Natural

85% Mencia 15% Alicante Bouschet (and a pinch of Godello). A medium-bodied expression of Mencia with freshness galore and fine tannins. Gregory Perez’s more natural approach to winemaking is evident when first pulling the cork. A bit of gas releasing is common, nothing a quick decant or pouring two glasses won’t fix. Floral in the nose with bright crunchy acidity on the palate. Red fruit is on full display here with an underlying spice. Unoaked.

Cherry, leafy and vanilla notes mingle in this juicy red. Light tannins and lively acidity impart a gentle balance. Not muscular but harmonious. Drink now through 2023. 50,000 cases imported.

"Pale gold in color, this Cava has aromas of mature white peach, toasted bread and green tea with hints of lemon citrus and apricots. Equally rich and broad on the palate, these flavors continue to unfold on the palate." Importer notes

Reserva de la Familia is the flagship cuvée of the Juvé y Camps estate winery. In the beginning days of their winemaking, the Juvé y Camps family had their own reserve of this Cava, and it is still the only Brut Nature that they make. Made from the free run juice of traditional varieties Macabeo, Xarel.lo and Parellada and a touch of Chardonnay, this is the Cava of choice of Spain’s royal family, and it is regularly served at all official banquets.

Juvé & Camps is a family-owned winery located in San Sadurní d’Anoia, a small town in the northeastern Penedès region near Barcelona. Founded in 1921 by Joan Juvé Baqués and his wife Teresa Camps Farré, the winery’s three-generation history has resulted in an international reputation for producing top-quality Cava. The story of Juvé & Camps actually began over 200 years ago when Joan Juvé Mir, a bold and enterprising vine grower with ideas ahead of his time, laid the foundation for what would become the family firm. His son, Antoni Juvé Escaiola, carried on the legacy. There were many challenges, including the terrible phylloxera plague. Advocating replanting (as did other leading figures of the Penedès), he led a drive to restore the vineyards and to rebuild the region’s wine production. Respected and loved by his contemporaries, his example encouraged his son, Joan Juvé Baqués, to build the family’s first winery. Joan Juvé Baqués married Teresa Camps Farré, an exceptional woman and an enthusiastic supporter who, in 1921, inspired her husband to launch the first sparkling wine under the Juvé brand. It was made in the underground cellars beneath the family home in San Sadurní d’Anoia. Today, Juvé & Camps has established itself as the most highly regarded Cava producer in Spain. Juvé & Camps wines are regularly served at state banquets given by Spain’s Royal Family and are offered to visitors and guests by the National Government, the Senate and Congress.

"Ruby red colour with a golden rim. Bright and deep. Complex aromas. There is a great balance between the fruit (cherries, black plums, ripe blackberries) and the clean nuances of the wood (clove, pepper, vanilla and coconut). The nose is further enriched by the aromas that develop during bottle ageing. Smooth and balanced on the palate with a full, elegant feel and a long, lingering finish." Winemaker notes

Aged for 18 months in American and French-oak casks (50%). Rounded off for 18 months in the bottle cellar.

Organic / Biodynamic

90 points Wine Advocate
The red 2022 Montecastrillo was produced with 90% Tempranillo and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon from younger vines, fermented with indigenous yeasts in stainless steel and matured in 225-liter barrels for eight months. It has good ripeness, 14.5% alcohol and a pH of 3.75. It's medium-bodied and approachable, with fine tannins, finishing with fruit-driven flavors. It keeps the poise in this warm and dry year.

Finca Torremilanos continues with their environmentally minded approach. Not only are their 198 hectares certified organic and biodynamic, but they go beyond that and installed solar panels in 2023 that cover 40% of their electricity needs. Production is 500,000 bottles.

100% biodynamically-cultivated Tempranillo from the estate’s younger vines. Fermentation takes 9 days and malolactic occurs in 80% stainless steel and 20% in barrel. Elevage for three to four months in a mix of French and American 225L barrels.

93 points Wine Enthusiast
Deep garnet in the glass, this wine has aromas of blackberry, clove, oregano and violet. Notes of leather and forest floor slightly outweigh flavors of cherry, pomegranate, star anise and lavender, while opulent tannins power into a lengthy finish. This is a classic, traditional Rioja that will appeal to those who enjoy the style.

Intense primary aromas, fresh and harmonious combined notes from oak aging. Outstanding aromas of candied red fruit and spices are underscored by mineral notes. Sweet, ripe tannins in the mouth. Elegant, balanced mouth. Harmonious, pleasant, long aftertaste. Beautiful nose, abundant spiced rich blackberries laced with leather. Round mouthfeel, good balance and savory finish. Pairs well beef, lamb, veal, and poultry dishes

Grapes are from their Las Encinas vineyard in Laguardia, Rioja Alavesa. Fermentation of destemmed grapes takes place in stainless steel tanks at a controlled temperature of 28 ºC to 30ºC. Macerated for 2 weeks to ensure good color extraction and smooth, round tannin
Aged for 18 months in French and American oak barrels and 18 months in bottle.

94 points Wine Advocate
The 2016 Viña Cubillo Tinto Crianza was surprising, spectacular, elegant, clean and fresh like few vintages before. It was a superb year, with quality, quantity and freshness. It's quite the opposite from the previous 2015, which was a much warmer and riper year. The 2016s have moderate alcohol and especially the perception of less ripeness (even though the alcohol is very similar). It feels very young, still quite primary. Mercedes explained, "Cubillas, a 24-hectare plot, is a vineyard that could produce Gran Reserva wines. It's a very good vineyard, but we would miss the Crianza in our range". In fact, the comment was that this vintage is even a challenge for the Viña Tondonia red "because of its price." It is indeed a bargain. "But it doesn't have the finesse of Tondonia," concluded María José. Anyway, it's super tasty. 92,000 bottles produced. It was bottled in November 2022. Drinking Window: 2024 - 2032

94 points Tim Atkin
It could be a Gran Reserva," says María José López de Heredia of a wine that is always sold as a Crianza, partly for historic reasons. Picked late in a cooler vintage, it partners Tempranillo with 20% Garnacha, and 5% each of Graciano and Mazuelo. Earthy, stemmy yet refreshing, it has negligible oak, racy redcurrant and pomegranate fruit and savoury tannins. 2024-29

Organic

Whilst the origins of viticulture at Can Vendrell go back to the middle ages, it was not until 1903 that the Albet family established itself at the estate. Joan Albet i Rovirosa came to Can Vendrell to oversee the replanting of the estate after the Phylloxera plague. This process involved planting American rootstock and grafting the desired variety onto that rootstock. After replanting the vineyards he stayed on as manager of the 210 hectare estate of which 90 hectares were vineyards.

It was the fourth and current generation, Josep Maria Albet i Noya, that introduced organic farming methods to the vineyards. Josep Maria took over the management of the estate after his father's death in 1972 and at the end of the seventies started producing his first organic wines. With the success of that first wine produced specifically for the Danish market, they gradually moved the entire estate over to organic farming.

The family also finally acquired the estate that they had been farming for four generations. At this point, they began a long process of continuous rennovation of the cellar, as well as switching 100% of the estate over to organic farming methods.

We currently control 80.6 hectares of vineyards as well as buying grapes from local farmers who have converted to organic farming, paying the highest prices in the Penedès and advising the farmers to ensure the highest quality.

Organic

93 points Wine Advocate
The young and tender 2022 Albariño is the blend of the grapes from 165 plots in the Salnés, fermented with a pied de cuve from the old vines, fermented in stainless steel and matured with lees. It has a balsamic nose with notes of grass and bay leaf, a round palate with pungent flavors and good acidity. It's clean and varietal, reflecting a warmer year.

Organic

This organically farmed Estate fruit Cava is way more serious than you may be used to. The wine spends three years on the lees and is only disgorged when the US importer places their order. This results in a richer, more complex style of Cava that displays some serious brioche. A blend of 37% Parellada, 35% Macabeu and 28% Xarel-lo, the vintage-dated 2018 Brut Reserva was disgorged in December of 2021, having spent three years on the lees. The resulting wine is an excellent example of what Cava can be. The nose is clean and fruity with hints of apple, caramel and fresh herbs. The palate is elegant and balanced with well-integrated bubbles and excellent balance. Four grams dosage, 5.9 acidity and only 11.5% alcohol. Yum!

Food pairing: At any time. Ideal as an aperitif. Goes well with fish, seafood cream soup, white meat, goat cheese and desserts.

Torelló Mata uses only fruit from vines that are a minimum of 30 years old.

90 points James Suckling
Sliced green apple, lemon zest and white almond on the nose with a crisp and bright profile of yellow and green fruit on the palate. Elegant and fresh-toned.

90 points Jeb Dunnuck
All Verdejo, the 2021 Nisia is cut from the same cloth and has vibrant yellow fruits, citrus
blossom, honeysuckle, and floral notes in its medium-bodied, clean, lively, pretty style. It's slightly fresher and more medium-bodied compared to the richer 2020.

"Well-balanced and lightly creamy, this fresh white layers a tang of salinity and lemony acidity with flavors of white peach, pineapple, white blossoms and spice. Drink now through 2025." - Wine Spectator

Organic / Natural / Orange Wine

Owned by the Suriol family, Cellers de Can Suriol del Castell is known for making wines and vintage Cava with personality in the organic winemaking tradition. They make wines under the Suriol brand which are all estate bottled fruit and then they make the Azimut line from purchased grapes from their neighbors, all of whom work organically. The Can Suriol vineyards and winery are situated in Alt Penedes, Province of Barcelona, Catalunya. This region is justifiably famous for producing fine wines and cava. The cultivation of the Can Suriol vineyards is done by 100% organic methods as certified by the CCPAE (until 2007 NOP certification). - Jenny & Francois

TASTING NOTES:

AROMA AND PALATE
Pleasant, powerful nose of ripe red berries.

Round mouth-feel, with a lingering aftertaste. Balanced, fruity and full of flavor.

ENJOY WITH
The excellent, original taste of this cava means you can enjoy it as an aperitif or with international dishes such as risottos, pasta, cheeses, sausages, white meat and fish as well as with spicier meals and with dishes in a sauce.

A bright white, light on its feet and graceful yet still creamy and generous on the palate, with flavors of baked white peach, macadamia nut, grated ginger and a touch of lemon-infused pastry cream. Shows a spine of lively acidity and a subtle layer of salty mineral.

Organic

94 points Vinous
The 2020 Vatan comes from exceptionally old vines in the Quemaos vineyard situated in the Villaester de Abajo area. Aged for 20 months in French oak barrels, it displays a dark purple color. The balsamic nose reveals plums, sour cherries and subtle blackberries over a cedar layer. Rich, creamy and juicy on the palate, the supple tannins and mild intensity leads to a nuanced, enduring finish. This is a vibrant interpretation of a successful year in Toro. Drinking Window: 2025-2040

This white is fresh and bright, but also dense, with a firm backbone of crisp acidity that carries pear, McIntosh apple and verbena flavors. The juicy, floral finish brings you back for another sip. Drink now through 2020.

92 points James Suckling
Quite an understated and traditional bottling of Rioja, showing red and black berries, hints of dried mushroom, peppercorns, dark earth and tobacco on the nose. Chewy and juicy on the medium-bodied palate, showing a fresh array of berries and plums. Drinkable now, but better from 2025.

Winemaker Notes:
The grapes come from vineyards, 30-40 years old, with yields of 2T/Ha and located high on the hillsides, 700-900 metres above sea level. The vineyards are planted in mainly decomposed slate and gravely clay soils. The fermentation was carried out in small stainless steel tanks for 15 days at temperetures below 27ºC, and then spent a short period of two months in French oak barrels.
It exhibits greater aromatic complexity, richness with mineral and blueberry notes leading to a savory and spicy wine nicely balanced and very easy to drink.

Food Pairing:
Pair with rice, pasta (noodles, spaghetti, macaroni), white and blue fish, goat cheese, cold meat, vegetables, lentil soup, peas,
mushroom, beef, chicken, roast meat, red and white grill meat.

Tasting Notes:
Color of intense dark cherry with a violet edge. Intense nose, dominated by ripe red fruits, raspberry, currant, together with balsamic and mineral notes. Powerful in the mouth, full-bodied, pleasantly tannic and fruity with a light spice on the finish.