Miguel Merino Rioja ‘La Quinta Cruz’ 2021

Miguel Merino is a small, family-owned winery in the Rioja region of Spain, specifically in Briones. They’re known for their high-quality, handcrafted wines, choosing to prioritize quality over any kind of large production. They work entirely with estate fruit, which is crucial in Rioja for controlling the grape quality. Their vineyards are located in Rioja Alta where it is a bit cooler with clay-limestone soils, a perfect combination for growing meaningful grapes.

The wines of Miguel Merino show the best possible side of Rioja, with an emphasis on site, village, specific terroirs, and finesse. They are the sort of wines that let us put Rioja in the same conversation as Barolo and Burgundy, showing that this celebrated region has the people, and the right terroir to make outstanding wines. That and the big scores that this little estate take home every year certainly match any of their international counterparts.