“Jorge Ordoñez is the reference point for some of the finest wines emerging from Spain.” – Robert Parker

Sometimes a wine can catch you with all your defenses down.

This was love at first sip. Completely OFF THE METER on the deliciousness scale. It rocketed to the top of our favorites list - not just today, but ALL TIME. We’re talking a total BARNSTORMER of a wine experience that will remain stuck in your memory.

We’ve been waiting months for it to arrive, directly imported from overseas, and if you can’t tell yet, we’re a bit excited that today is the big unveiling.

Our love affair with this wine started to make sense when we learned the story…

Founded in 1987, Jorge Ordóñez is the granddaddy of all Spanish importers. As a major fan Robert Parker points out that he single handedly “was the catalyst that inspired a quality-oriented group of Spanish wine importers to canvas the countryside. The impetus and force behind the rediscovery of indigenous Spanish varietals that introduced Americans to such backwater, yet now up-and-coming and increasingly fashionable viticultural regions as Toro, Jumilla, Priorato, Rias Baixas, Campo de Borja, La Mancha, and Calatayud, was Jorge Ordoñez.”

This is made from seriously GNARLY old Garnacha vines planted from 1900 through 1918. Like way OVER a century ago, and still firing on all cylinders despite the miniscule yields. These tiny berries, with thick skins just SOAR with intensity, aromatics, and flavor.

Jeb Dunnuck rated the 2016 vintage 94 points, saying “the flagship Grenache from Breca, Brega is 100% Grenache from higher elevation, hillside parcels and aged in 40% new oak, it offers a powerful, pedal-to-the-metal style… a sexy, high-quality wine that will give many a top Châteauneuf-du-Pape a serious run for its money.”

Be it Châteauneuf-du-Pape or Paso Robles, good ol’ Grenache just does not get purer than this dripping with perfumey red berries, fresh and concentrated. Like a raspberry coulis that erupts all over your taste buds with umami to spare from the sweet baking spices and loamy earth notes. Or think of those impossibly ripe fresh farmstand strawberries or melted red licorice. Dipped in vanilla and chocolate, with nuances of orange peel, violets, exotic spices and sweet oak all working hard for the spotlight. Simply put, it’s a decadent blockbuster.

Even the clinging finish has a lip-smacking joyfulness that must be tasted to be believed. While this would enhance any roasted beast in a big way, maybe it’s simply too tasty not to sip on its own for most of us.

If there was ONE wine we had to force upon you, and insist you try this year - this is it. We’re not too proud to beg - PLEASE for the love of Bacchus, do yourself a favor and get one or two bottles of this. You will thank us later when you’re asking for more - bet on it.

In the unlikely event that you still don’t want to at least throw a couple in your Lockers to see what all this fuss is about, that’s fine - we’re loading up the rest in our trunks for safekeeping.

But one last reminder: this is the best of its kind to ever cross our lips.

94 Points – Guía Peñín

“Pure and elegant, with impressive black raspberry, violet, candied cherry, and sandalwood-like aromas and flavors. It’s a medium-bodied, elegant, balanced Garnacha that has ripe tannins and a character-filled, satisfying style to drink over the coming 4-6 years. Drink 2022-2028.”