Murrieta Reserva

they sell it in single bottles, too.
My Spanish wine guy in Willimantic (not the same one who suggested Vinos Sin-ley) told me today that Marques de Murrieta Ygay Reserva 2001 ($$) was the best Rioja at this price point he'd ever had. He also told me it was "better than sliced bread". Most oenophiles stay away from sliced bread as a description of wine, so I just had to try this.
This was a gamble, as the red wines from the Murrieta estate have been inconsistent over the past few years. They brought in a new winemaker and sunk a ton of money into the estate, and it shows.
This wine is BIG, powerful, and impressive. Black Pepper, bold fruit, and vanilla come out in this Spanish gem.
This is another ecWino MUST BUY.