La Bodega Miguel Merino is a young domaine in Rioja, having begun its operations only in 1994.

Previously involved in the export trade, Miguel Merino dreamed of creating his own winery. It was in Briones, a historic village within the western reaches of La Rioja Alta, that Merino has found exactly what he was looking for: quality terroir and old-vine Tempranillo. In contrast to some of the better-known houses of La Rioja, the production of Merino is rather modest, the focus being placed squarely on quality rather than quantity. Since its first vintage, Merino has drawn critical acclaim from journalists, garnering higher praise that various domaines considered to be at the top of the region.

Merino wines are highly elegant and true to their origins. Their Vinas Jovenes (young vines), discretely woody, manages the feat of staying balanced while also bursting with fruitiness. In the same vein, one finds even more density in their barrel-aged Gran Reserva wines and their Unnum cuvees. Their Cantiga and Cantiga Crianza are the handiwork of Daniel Puras, a neighbor and collaborator of Miguel Merino’s. In collaboration with Puras, Merino oversees export marketing of these wines. The Cantiga offers exquisite fruit, with a smooth texture and an exemplary balance. The Crianza boasts these same qualities, with an added touch of woodiness. Yet more examples confirming the supremacy of Spain in terms of red-wine quality-to-price ratio.