Bodega Akutain, Rioja

Rioja production, like Bordeaux, is vast. It’s a region with multi-century marketing and global exposure, and they have enormous inventories to show for it. The wines are expertly crafted with a winning formula and, in a spectacular vintage, will yield some of the finest drinking experiences and long-lived reds on earth. But not everyone subscribes to its factory-like operation: Enter Bodega Akutain.We’ve only been able to offer a few of their Riojas over the years, as it’s proven to be incredibly frustrating to track down any sort of significant quantity. From today’s young, pure, and insanely delicious entry-level “Cosecha” all the way up to their late-release Gran Reservas, Akutain is dedicated to preserving the artisanal, “farmstead” mindset. You will find only one man here, a small stable-turned-cellar, and just 6.5 hectares of vine clinging to some of the region’s highest-elevation hillsides. So, look no further if you wish to experience a shining example of authentic, ready-to-e