Urbina, Rioja Crianza 2012

€21.99

This is a stunning Crianza that will make you wonder why it hasn't been labelled as Reserva.

Technically, it's old enough to be Gran Reserva, but they don't leave it in barrel for long enough and, key point... they prefer their Crianzas to be like this.

Which is full of wonderful flavour, soft texture and length; balance, complexity and refined class. This is the sort of wine you'd like to tell all your friends about and then stop yourself from doing, because you want to keep it all for yourself.

It's from a family winery in the very west of the Rioja Alta subzone, where all the vineyards they own are farmed organically. They have 150 years of tradition in the same family and are certainly not swayed by modern trends to high-extract, big, punchy and dense styles of wine (not that we don't like those styles, it's just interesting to know where this family stands!). Aging wine in their own cellars until ready for consumption is a noble but expensive occupation: what's incredible is that they don't charge us a massive premium for it.

This is wine that is from a classic European wine region, made perfectly in a traditional method and aged, released and sold as a continuum of a that tradition out of which which they have grown. It's very respectable. And the wines are immensely enjoyable.

Darker in colour than a ten year old wine might be expected, it has aromas of cherry, blackcurrant and delicious coconut, vanilla and white pepper spices. The palate is soft but full enough, with balancing acidity and flavours of black fruits, herbs, spice and orange peel.

An organic Crianza with all this?

That's a tradition worth celebrating.

Region: Rioja Alta

Country: Spain

Grape(s): Tempranillo, Graciano

Style: Svelte, Soft, Smooth, Silky, Pure, Profound, Perfumed, Organic, Medium Full, Meditation, Iconic, Fruity, Fresh, Elegant, Complex, Bright, Balanced

Best food matches: Wild Boar, Warm Salads, Venison, Veal, Steak, St Stephen's Day, Soft Cheeses, Sausages, Salads, Roasts, Red Meats, Poultry, Mature Cheeses, Lamb, Hard Cheeses, Grills, Grilled Vegetables, Game, Fine Dining, Duck, Christmas Dinner, Cheeses, Charcuterie, Beef

Alcohol: 14%

Why buy from us?

When you buy wine from The Allotment Wine Co. you're helping a small Irish company that in turn supports small, sustainable wine producers who grow the grapes and make amazing wines. We only work with partners who share a deep respect and connection with the land and its traditions, witnessed in a firm commitment to quality and sustainability. All of which makes for better wines.

Delivery & Returns

You'll get free delivery when you buy 12 x 75cl bottles of wine online from The Allotment, saving you €7.99.

We charge €7.99 per delivery for quantities less than that.

Our hours for processing orders are between 9am - 6pm Monday to Friday.

We pack your online wine order along the following timelines:

Wine orders for delivery in Dublin, received before 12pm on weekdays are prepared so that delivery should be expected the next working day.

Wine orders for nationwide delivery, received by 12pm on weekdays are prepared so that delivery should be expected two working days later.

Customer reviews

★★★★★
Great choice and excellent service. Received my delivery the next day.
Paul H.
★★★★★
Amazing service from the get go!
I emailed Chris looking for wine recommendations for a birthday gift. Got a really speedy, helpful reply and not only that but he hand delivered it on time to the birthday girl wishing her a happy birthday. Absolutely bowled over by the service. Cannot recommend highly enough.
Michelle McM.
★★★★★
Could not recommend The Allotment enough. The selection is fantastic and each wine that I've drank from them has been utterly phenomenal. Delivery was no hassle and I had the wine at my door in 2 days. Couldn't have asked for a better experience.
Luke B.
★★★★★
Good range of interesting wines. Good personal attention to their orders. Very customer focused. I would be happy to recommend this company to any prospective customer.
Jim D.
★★★★★
A great experience ordering from The Allotment Wine Company. A wide variety of wines to try something new and at good prices with super quick delivery! Really convenient too as opposed to trying to find parking!
N. Dowling
★★★★★
Delicious and interesting range of wines delivered promptly to my door. Not far off that lovely feeling of coming back laden from a good wine store but without any of the traffic or the worry of breaking the wine en route (very impressive travel wrap).
M. Dorman
★★★★★
Chris fields a fine range of excellent, keenly-priced wines. Orders are safely packaged and dispatched efficiently and promptly. Strongly recommended.
David M.
★★★★★
Great selection of wines, hassle free ordering, payment and delivery. Highly recommended.
Patrick H.
Hi, I'm Chris Gifford.

And you're very welcome to The Allotment Wine Co.

When you wine from me, you're supporting a small Irish business which in turn supports small, sustainable wine producers, as well as other small, dedicated Irish wine importers.

When selecting wines, I look for partners who share a deep respect and connection with the land and its traditions, witnessed in a firm commitment to quality and sustainability. All of which makes for better wines.