“…some of the best Riberas are blended across the region – Aalto, Ausàs and Garmón being three top examples…” - Tim Atkin MW

FACT 1: Tim is not only a mighty fine Master of Wine but also the world’s foremost expert on Ribera del Duero.

FACT 2: The winemaker of Garmón also makes Vega Sicilia’s Único, the undisputed KING of Ribera del Duero.

FACT 3: Único is super highly allocated, near impossible to find, and it’s HELLA pricey, like $400-500 a bottle.

So, what if we could bring you a contender to have a run at the heavyweight title? For much, MUCH less. The Garmón lands at $49 today - a fraction of the Único, while it brings 97 points into the ring. Plus, this is the only wine Garmón produces so you know they spoil it with that “only child” treatment. It has all that muscular full body richness and finesse to go a full ten rounds.

According to Tim “Most of the bodegas I have chosen as First Growths in my first Ribera del Duero Classification didn’t exist 30 years ago. There was no Dominio de Pingus, no Dominio del Aguila, no Dominio de Es, no Garmón Continental…” who adds “Mariano García is my winemaking legend having gone on to create Aalto and Garmón Continental.”

Give this baby a couple of hours to decant and then revel in your glorious, intelligent purchase. The 100% Tempranillo deals a GRIP of ripe blackberry and plum, figs and dark chocolate, coconut, and wild savory spices. It has a bit of a rustic edge mixed into the modern style, making it appealing to almost everyone. And it’s just an infant even though it drinks like a champ right now.

Ask yourself - when was the last time you saw a 97-pointer ‘1st Growth’ under $50? We can’t recall. There you have it, just like the Único, a wine that transcends its humble origins to join the world’s best.

The only downside? We got much less than we hoped for again this vintage, just won’t last long…

97 Points – Tim Atkin MW

“Eduardo García used fruit from six different villages - Anguix, Baños de Valdearados. La Aguilera, Moradillo, Quintanilla de Onésimo and Tubilla del Lago - to produce the latest vintage of this world-class red, blending their characters as an artist might mix a palette of colours. Spicy, chalky, structured yet refined, with haunting perfume, subtle oak, enviable density, energy and poise and the concentration to age. Drink 2024-35.”