After taking a break to congratulate some of the city’s great wine stores, Asimov is back in the tasting room this week to turn our attention toward Rioja, or more specifically, its babies. His premise is simple: “What’s important is to understand that no other category of Spanish red wine is as consistently satisfying and as good a value as Rioja crianza.” He’s hardly exaggerating either. With nine of the wines falling under the $20 mark, you might as well collect all ten. Here’s how:
Rioja Crianza Viña Cubillo 2003, R. López de Heredia
Where to buy: Chambers St. Wines, Tinto Fino
Where to drink: Blue Hill, Casa Mono
Rioja Crianza 2004, Riba Guda
A phantom, unfortunately. No buy/drink intel available.
Rioja Crianza 2005, Sierra Cantabria
Where to buy: Astor Wines, Garnet Wines
Where to drink: Bar Americain, Casa Mono
Rioja Crianza Rondan 2004, Sáenz de Santamaría
Where to buy: Frankly Wines
Rioja Crianza 2004, Marques de Vitoria
Where to buy: 67 Wines, Heights Chateau, Tinto Fino
Rioja Crianza 2005, Viña Izadi
Where to buy: 67 Wines
Rioja Crianza Monte Real 2006, Bodegas Riojanas
Where to buy: Heights Chateau
Rioja Crianza 2005, El Coto
Where to buy: Morrell
Rioja Crianza 2005, Zuazo Gaston
Where to buy: Pecks Wines
Rioja Crianza 2005, Marques de Caceres
Where to buy: Union Square Wines, Sherry Lehmann
On Asimov’s Tail: “Riojas That Satisfy in Taste and Value”
After taking a break to congratulate some of the city’s great wine stores, Asimov is back in the tasting room this week to turn our attention toward Rioja, or more specifically, its babies. His premise is simple: “What’s important is to understand that no other category of Spanish red wine is as consistently satisfying and as good a value as Rioja crianza.” He’s hardly exaggerating either. With nine of the wines falling under the $20 mark, you might as well collect all ten. Here’s how:
Rioja Crianza Viña Cubillo 2003, R. López de Heredia
Where to buy: Chambers St. Wines, Tinto Fino
Where to drink: Blue Hill, Casa Mono
Rioja Crianza 2004, Riba Guda
A phantom, unfortunately. No buy/drink intel available.
Rioja Crianza 2005, Sierra Cantabria
Where to buy: Astor Wines, Garnet Wines
Where to drink: Bar Americain, Casa Mono
Rioja Crianza Rondan 2004, Sáenz de Santamaría
Where to buy: Frankly Wines
Rioja Crianza 2004, Marques de Vitoria
Where to buy: 67 Wines, Heights Chateau, Tinto Fino
Rioja Crianza 2005, Viña Izadi
Where to buy: 67 Wines
Rioja Crianza Monte Real 2006, Bodegas Riojanas
Where to buy: Heights Chateau
Rioja Crianza 2005, El Coto
Where to buy: Morrell
Rioja Crianza 2005, Zuazo Gaston
Where to buy: Pecks Wines
Rioja Crianza 2005, Marques de Caceres
Where to buy: Union Square Wines, Sherry Lehmann
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