Just $13.99 for 94-Point Rioja that was Intended to Sell For $35!
Eva López and her husband Ignacio Alonso are Spanish wine visionaries. In addition to seeking out and exporting delicious Spanish wines, this ambitious young couple also produce small quantities of their own wines, from vines that they own and farm, in the iconic region of Rioja.
Today’s wine, the 2018 Alonso López Rioja Crianza, comes from Eva and Ignacio’s own vineyards, including a small piece of land, in a small town, that had been owned by the local church for over 300 years until they acquired it just over 10 years ago. The picture here, with the majestic Sierra Cantabria mountains in the background, was taken from that vineyard, and is depicted on the label of today’s delicious Rioja red.
Two years ago, Wine Enthusiast awarded it 94 Points and a "Top 100" win. In doing so, they listed the price at $35. Today, thanks to the rather unique circumstances that we outline below, we’re able to bring you this elegant, flavorful, classically-styled wine for the absurdly low price of $13.99.
Check out our full story, along with the "sleek, seamless and expressive" new release of Cloudy Bay Sauvignon Blanc, then hit the Big Green Button!
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2018 Alonso López Crianza
Rioja Alta, Spain
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Eva and Ignacio bottled a very special wine with this 2018 Rioja Crianza. They were so busy, however, raising their two young kids and running multiple wine businesses that they never got around to selling it!
Despite massive praise from Wine Enthusiast, this 94-Point, "Top 100" red has lived in obscurity at their Rioja cellar for several years.
When we met and tasted with Ignacio at our Elston Avenue store earlier this year, he showed us this wine and told us what he could do on the price. We proceeded to flip out, and place one of the single largest orders for a Rioja that we have ever made. The wine is now here, it is drinking great, and the price is - how best to say it - totally redonkulous.
Sourced from two vineyards in the Rioja Alta sub-zone, both owned by Eva and Ignacio, this bottling is crafted from 90% Tempranillo and 10% Graciano, from 40+ year old vines. Though they’ve made the wine since 2015, Ignacio acknowledged that this 2018 is the best vintage they’ve yet produced.
Fermented using wild yeasts, raised in cement, then moved to new French oak for 14 months before an additional 5 years bottle-aging in their cellar, this is a wine to buy by the case. Pouring a pale ruby with garnet streaks, this perfectly aged wine leads with fresh and dried red fruits. After a few swirls, Rioja flavors of dried flowers, wood spice, roasted herbs, citrus rind, cured meat and gritty red earth emerge. In the mouth, it is plush and taut with an impressive structure that suggests a more expensive bottling.
Quite good on its own and perfect at the table, you'll find this to be an incredibly friendly pairing for most any dish. We are a solid 91 points. Awarding 94 points, Wine Enthusiast writes...
“This dark-garnet-colored wine offers a bouquet of black currant, anisette and sage. Blackberry, cassis, dark-chocolate, violet and clove flavors are joined by a note of marjoram. Tannins start out feather light, slowly fill the palate, and linger for a while.”
- 94 Points, Wine Enthusiast (12/31/2023)
Wine Enthusiast quotes $35. That is two and a half times today's price! Looking online, the only listings we could find were in Switzerland and The Netherlands. We blow them both away. A serious, serious steal here!
Vin Chicago Price: 13.99
The New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc That Started It All!
2024 Cloudy Bay Sauvignon Blanc
Marlborough, New Zealand
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In a June 2025 article titled “Cloudy Bay at 40: Raising a glass to a game changer” Decanter Magazine honors the incredible impact this well-established producer has had on New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc. We remember when it first hit the Chicago wine scene, and how crazy allocated it was. Think Pappy Van Winkle, but for Sauvignon Blanc!
The market has changed, but the quality of Cloudy Bay Sauvignon has not. Earning 94- and 93-Point reviews from Decanter and Wine Spectator, this tasty white is packed with juicy citrus fruit, an easy texture, lingering minerality and a pleasure-giving finish. Far more interesting and complex than most of the big brand bottlings, this is a real wine, and we’re super excited to bring you this 40th anniversary bottling.
“From the driest vintage on record, this is a fragrant, juicy wine, with aromas of grapefruit, sweet lime and jalapeño leading to a fine-textured palate with bright citrus fruit, fresh herbs and a touch of tomato stalk. Vibrant acidity drives a stony, dry finish with decent length. Drinking Window: 2025 - 2035.”
- 94 Points, Decanter (3/25/2025)
“Sleek, seamless and expressive, with notes of ruby grapefruit, Key lime, mango puree, salted and preserved lemon, and lemon basil, plus details of fresh sea salt, all on a mouthwatering frame. Shows plenty of intensity on the long, expressive finish, where a hint of green tea emerges. Drink now. 290,000 cases made, 70,000 cases imported.”
- 93 Points, Wine Spectator (8/31/2025)
Wine Spectator quotes $35. Median online retail is $33. As usual, our price is less. If it's been a while since you've had Cloudy Bay, we think you're going to be in for a real treat!
Vin Chicago Price: 28.99
