ARTUKE SOLD OUT!

How about a new vintage of UKAN next, which speaks volumes for the “Cabernet” lovers’ side of New Rioja!

WAS $110, NOW $44??!

What Vinous said, “the rich nuances found in Rioja today will take your palate on a rewarding joy ride.” is found in this, and every vintage to come, because when Agent Noir visited this up-and-coming winery last year, he was blown away by the quality and the meticulous attention to detail, resulting in impeccable wines.

The geniuses behind UKAN are none other than Koldo and Eduardo Eguren, 5th generation of the Eguren family who are behind many cult wines like Sierra Cantabria of Rioja, and others in Toro, with roots back to the 1800s. Obviously, fine winemaking is in the DNA, with the INAUGURAL 2018 vintage - setting the bar high and the follow-up 2019 with DOUBLE 94 points from Jeb Dunnuck AND Wine Enthusiast - how is that for a fresh beginning?

Not exactly… With family roots that deep, the sources that make UKAN are as good as they get. Planted in 1940-1966, the 3 vineyards are all high-elevation in the smallest and most sought-after region of Rioja Alavesa, resulting in low yields, high skin-to-juice ratios, high but refined tannins, as well as intense, and concentrated flavors. While the monstrous bruisers of Artadi represent one camp of extreme modernity in Rioja and López de Heredia symbolizes the opposite extreme of ultra-traditionalism, UCAN’s style hits that delicate balance between them.

Just like its 2018 counterpart, this too offers incredible nuance and finesse, as well as great complexity, while it still feels young and with the potential to improve for a long time in bottle. This is a breath of FRESH Rioja air, the 2019 is less Bordeaux, and more California in style.

While Vinous has yet to wake up to UKAN, it’s exactly what they are talking about when they say “Today, Rioja has two speeds. The first is set by the big producers who are responsible for the region’s worldwide fame and its association with extensive oak aging. The second is the more dynamic side, where producers display pride in their place of origin and stylistic choices, more interested in bringing out individual characters than adhering to an established style.”

All that… AND 60% OFF?! While it lasts…

94 Points – Jeb Dunnuck

“The flagship 2019 UKAN comes from older vines (it’s 100% Tempranillo) and was all destemmed and brought up in 50% new French oak. It’s slightly riper and richer, with a great bouquet of ripe red and black fruits, new leather, tobacco, cedar pencil, and roasted herbs that suggest a Médoc, almost Cabernet-like style. Absolutely gorgeous on the palate, it’s medium to full-bodied, has a round, layered mouthfeel, more tannins than the Senderos de UKAN release, and a great finish. Despite being brought up in newer barrels, I think the oak is better integrated here as well. It unquestionably offers loads of pleasure today, but this should easily evolve for 10-12+ years. I think it’s a clear step up over the entry level cuvée and a terrific wine. Drink 2023-2036.”

94 Points – Wine Enthusiast

“This deep-violet-colored wine has a bouquet of blackberry, caramel and clove. Plush tannins coat the tongue and gums alongside flavors of cassis, black cherry, anise, violet and orange zest. A sense of brightness lights up the palate from first sip and stays there.”