Wine Club: October 2026
Our focus this month is Rioja but one of our wines comes from just outside the bounds of the Rioja DO in neighboring Navarra. This outlier, the Agronavarra Graciano, was included to give us a 100% varietal Graciano, one of the minor blending varietals used in Rioja blends (Tempranillo and Garnacha being the primary components). We’ve yet to have a Graciano in the shop so this seemed like a great opportunity to bring it in!
We’ve explored Rioja in a past wine club but with this return to the region we’re aiming to dig a little deeper into the stylistic developments in red wines happening throughout the area. The Pecina Reserva 2017 is the classic, old-school Rioja: mature fruit is aged in 100% American Oak for three full years before bottling and bottles are held in the winery to age further before release. Lopez de Heredia is the benchmark of this style. The Bujanda Crianza is a middle-ground, with fermentation in stainless steel and then one year of aging in a mix of French and American oak, this leans a touch fresher than an old-school Crianza would. The Bideona Mayela is firmly in the emerging new style of Rioja that has been developing over the past decade or so. Bideona is a natural winemaker working within the bounds of the Rioja DO to create more vibrant and playful wines. The Mayela is fermented in stainless steel and concrete eggs and doesn’t see any oak-aging. Minimal sulfur and filtration lead to a pure expression of the Tempranillo grape. Finally, we have the Graciano. While not a natural wine, this is made in a simple style to highlight the varietal characteristics of the grape. Short aging in neutral oak is all the Graciano sees. A delightfully approachable red.
It’s exciting to have old-school regions like Rioja develop into a more multi-layered approach to winemaking. There’s always a place for a structured, well-aged red but more often than not, being able to choose from a range of affordable options from the same region is what we’re searching for in the shop. Hopefully over the coming years we’ll see more classic regions throughout the world move in this direction, allowing winemakers to push in different directions while still working within the legal structures of a region.
Enjoy the wines and this lovely fall weather!
Bodega Bideona ‘Mayela’
The Grapes
100% Tempranillo
Tasting Notes
Rich red cherry and raspberry on the nose with delicate minty notes and herbaceous mediterranean spices. Red fruit continues on the palate with more savory herbs and lovely leathery aromas on the palate. The leather and some meaty qualities follow all the way through the finish.
Pairing Suggestions
Pimientos del Piquillo Rellenos (gonna need to know Spanish or have google translate this page)
Can it Age?
Nope, drink up
Vina Bujanda ‘Crianza’
The Grapes
100% Tempranillo
Tasting Notes
Blackberry and red/black plum dominate the nose along with wet forest underbrush. Darker fruit on the palate with rich black plum, blackberry and sweet cassis up front before more delicate notes of dill and clove.
Pairing Suggestions
Can it Age?
Up to 2 years
Agronavarra ‘Agramont’ Graciano
The Grapes
100% Graciano
Tasting Notes
Stewed strawberries and raspberries on the nose… almost like a fresh strawberry danish. Red fruit continues on the palate with gentle floral aromatics of rose and orange blossom. Simple, straightforward finish brings the fruit back around.
Pairing Suggestions
Can it Age?
Not recommended
Senorio de Pecina Rioja Reserva 2017
The Grapes
95% Tempranillo, 3% Graciano, 2% Garnacha
Tasting Notes
Deeply complex nose with layers of cherry fruit wrapped in eucalyptus, clove, coco nibs and toasted oak. Chocolate and clove open up a palate drenched with black plum, blackberry, black cherry and dill. Wet soil and fresh leather on the finish with a wonderful chocolatey hint.
Pairing Suggestions
Can it Age?
Yes, this wine can continue aging beautifully for up to 10 years.
