2010 El Centimo Real Rioja Crianza 750 ml

There’s nothing in the world like well-aged Rioja: It’s the type of wine whose earthy nuances and unbridled power change the course of conversations. These thought-provoking, top-scoring treasures from legendary vintages can be had for an incredible value… if you know where to look.

Today we’re elated to offer you the opportunity to fall in love with the 2010 El Centimo Real Crianza, a stunning and mature library red from the top-scoring Rioja vintage in the history of Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate.

When the 2010 vintage of Rioja was first reviewed, Vinous’ Stephen Tanzer called the wines “focused, pure and balanced for a long life.” But wines like today’s 2010 El Centimo Real Rioja Crianza are fast becoming a rarity—the only place you’ll find this perfectly aged red is right here on Wine Access.

In 2010, the Mugas and Artadis of the world produced beauties that sold for well north of $150 per bottle. But we were set on finding cuvées that captured the vintage’s beauty for under $30—what seemed like a quixotic goal. But an introduction to Jesus Parreño, one of the five partners behind El Centimo, led us to success. 

After a decade in the estate’s cool stone cellars outside of Haro, this wine is firing on all cylinders. Layers of dried red cherry, strawberry, and cranberry fruit are adorned with hints of leather, pipe tobacco, and bakers’ cocoa. The wine is silken on the palate, with fine tannins and lively acidity gracefully supporting red fruit and earth. Once the long finish subsides, it’s impossible not to be impressed by the beautiful balance. 

This 2010 exudes that elusive characteristic that's only achieved when a fantastic vineyard, exquisite vintage, and perfect cellaring combine. To experience it for $25 is like finding a needle in a haystack… in suburbia. 

In 2010, Spain’s prized Tempranillo shined in Rioja, where higher elevations and cool nights supplied winemakers like Parreño with elegant wines with ripe fruit aromatics and full body. For this 2010 El Centimo, Parreño added Garnacha and Graciano for a velvety, silky texture. Showing red fruits and earth, dried tobacco, and fantastic maturity, rare is the bottle from such a heralded vintage that offers this level of sophistication—especially at this price. 

For Rioja, 2010 was a watershed year. Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate rated the vintage 95 points, equaling the best since Parker started his chart in 1970. Vinous also pinned on its highest score ever with a 96+ point rating, calling it “an outstanding vintage that produced wines that combine power and vivacity, with the acidity and tannic structure to ensure long-term cellaring.”

It’s been more than ten years since Rioja’s record harvest, and you may want to keep holding onto your Gran Reservas. As for the Crianzas, take this advice: Buy every high-quality under-$40 2010 you can—but good luck landing a deal as good as this one.

*This is a mature wine, and some sediment within the bottle should be expected. We recommend using an Ah-So opener, as aged corks are delicate and can break easily.