{"product_id":"martinez-lacuesta-rioja-reserva-hinia-2014","title":"Martinez Lacuesta Rioja Reserva 'Hinia' 2014","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cspan data-olk-copy-source=\"MessageBody\"\u003eIt can be argued that only three classic, traditional Rioja Producers remain today: Lopez de Heredia, La Rioja Alta, and \u003cspan data-ogsb=\"\" data-ogsc=\"\" data-ogab=\"\" data-ogac=\"\" class=\"mark85ezmnmu9\" data-markjs=\"true\"\u003eMartinez\u003c\/span\u003e \u003cspan data-ogsb=\"\" data-ogsc=\"\" data-ogab=\"\" data-ogac=\"\" class=\"mark82m4jq1sr\" data-markjs=\"true\"\u003eLacuesta\u003c\/span\u003e. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cspan data-olk-copy-source=\"MessageBody\"\u003eMany American wine lovers know the first two names listed, but... M\u003cspan data-ogsb=\"\" data-ogsc=\"\" data-ogab=\"\" data-ogac=\"\" class=\"mark85ezmnmu9\" data-markjs=\"true\"\u003eartinez\u003c\/span\u003e Lecuesta?\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eWell... little-known Bodega \u003cspan data-ogsb=\"\" data-ogsc=\"\" data-ogab=\"\" data-ogac=\"\" class=\"mark85ezmnmu9\" data-markjs=\"true\"\u003eMartinez\u003c\/span\u003e \u003cspan data-ogsb=\"\" data-ogsc=\"\" data-ogab=\"\" data-ogac=\"\" class=\"mark82m4jq1sr\" data-markjs=\"true\"\u003eLacuesta\u003c\/span\u003e is one of only two wineries in Haro still owned and operated by its founding family. Unsurprisingly, the Lopez de Heredia and \u003cspan data-ogsb=\"\" data-ogsc=\"\" data-ogab=\"\" data-ogac=\"\" class=\"mark85ezmnmu9\" data-markjs=\"true\"\u003eMartinez\u003c\/span\u003e \u003cspan data-ogsb=\"\" data-ogsc=\"\" data-ogab=\"\" data-ogac=\"\" class=\"mark82m4jq1sr\" data-markjs=\"true\"\u003eLacuesta\u003c\/span\u003e clans are very close in terms of both their friendship and their commitment to traditional Rioja. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cspan data-olk-copy-source=\"MessageBody\"\u003eThe below snippet is from Maria Jose Lopez de Heredia in the foreword of a book about the winery's 100th birthday:\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003e\"In my opinion, if there is a family that is \"Jarrero\" by namesake, it is the Martínez \u003cspan data-ogsb=\"\" data-ogsc=\"\" data-ogab=\"\" data-ogac=\"\" class=\"mark82m4jq1sr\" data-markjs=\"true\"\u003eLacuesta \u003c\/span\u003efamily. Jarrero not only means being from Haro, but being \"from the heart,\" feeling day-to-day life in our city, getting involved in it, not only in terms of participation in social and cultural activities and of a greater nature, but with the spirit of obtaining recognition from and achieving that our city, literally, \"progresses,\" feels alive, current, is honored and recognized by those, along with them, who form it and fill it with appreciation. Not to mention, without forgetting the contribution and singular presence of the historic labels of their wines.\" - Maria Jose Lopez de Heredia, 10\/19\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eSo why the anonymity of this iconic family? The short answer - only 7% of the Bodega \u003cspan data-ogsb=\"\" data-ogsc=\"\" data-ogab=\"\" data-ogac=\"\" class=\"mark85ezmnmu9\" data-markjs=\"true\"\u003eMartinez \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan data-ogsb=\"\" data-ogsc=\"\" data-ogab=\"\" data-ogac=\"\" class=\"mark82m4jq1sr\" data-markjs=\"true\"\u003eLacuesta\u003c\/span\u003e production has found its way out of Spain. The norm for most Rioja producers is 43%!\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cspan data-olk-copy-source=\"MessageBody\"\u003eOne more reason - the family moved out of their original facility in Haro to a location far away from tourist traffic. No fanfare, no train towers. Blink and you'll surely miss it. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eSo the \"coming out\" of \u003cspan data-ogsb=\"\" data-ogsc=\"\" data-ogab=\"\" data-ogac=\"\" class=\"mark85ezmnmu9\" data-markjs=\"true\"\u003eMartinez\u003c\/span\u003e \u003cspan data-ogsb=\"\" data-ogsc=\"\" data-ogab=\"\" data-ogac=\"\" class=\"mark82m4jq1sr\" data-markjs=\"true\"\u003eLacuesta\u003c\/span\u003e is poised to be, without question, the most exciting commercial development in the traditional Rioja category for any passionate wine lover.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eBut why now? \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cspan data-olk-copy-source=\"MessageBody\"\u003eIn a nutshell, new blood! \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cspan data-olk-copy-source=\"MessageBody\"\u003eTwo years ago, t\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cspan data-olk-copy-source=\"MessageBody\"\u003ehe winery's fourth-generation operators brought in a few employees from outside with the skills to build a \"bridge\" to the outside world. They started to welcome journalists, focused the portfolio, and returned the packaging to the classic (pre-1970s) aesthetic. The house style remains the same as 20-80 years ago, but the wines are much better dressed and ready for the global market.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAnd what is that house style? Here's how some Barcelona-based sommeliers have described it, \u003cem\u003e\"less wood than Rioja Alta and more fruit than Viña Tondonia\"\u003c\/em\u003e \u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cspan data-olk-copy-source=\"MessageBody\"\u003eNote: they don't print \"Reserva\" on the front label as they see it as a bit of a joke seeing that they age their wines exponentially longer than is required by local law. Here's the wine assessment that convinced us to bring in a small amount for you:\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003e\"Released 11 years after bottling, the 2014 Hinia is a traditional blend of Tempranillo (85%), Graciano (10%), and Mazuelo (5%), aged 26 months in older American oak barrels. Made in a more upfront ripe, fruity style than barrel-dominant, it has a depth of full-bodied red fruit, fine tannins, and great acidity that helps balance the concentration. There’s a touch of dried fruit and balsamic on the finish. It should last another 10 years. 93 points.\" - Virginia Boone, Jeb Dunnuck 11\/25\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Grape Expectations","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48083264372974,"sku":"84882","price":54.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"url":"https:\/\/farmstead.biz\/products\/martinez-lacuesta-rioja-reserva-hinia-2014","provider":"Farmstead Cheeses \u0026 Wines","version":"1.0","type":"link"}