Super Secret Swirl Wine Deal - 95 Point Rioja!

Vineyards in Rioja Alavesa

95 points - Decanter Magazine calls this 2008 Reserva Rioja "outstanding". Menthol and cola on the nose with classic cedar and leather aromas. Ripe and spicy with concentrated fruit. Deep, rich, fruit-driven, serious juice! 

If you drive south from Txakoli, the vineyards of Rioja Alavesa hug the shadow of the mountains to the north and run to the River Ebro in the south. Tempranillo is the king here with the mountains creating a distinct micro-climate by offering some shelter from the Atlantic weather and wind.

For this reserva the grapes are hand selected, coming from vineyards in Rioja Alavesa and Rioja Alta. Soils are a mixture of chalk, sand and clay and the vines used for this have a medium age of 40 years old. The wine is aged in American and French oak barrels for 24 months and further bottle ageing for two years prior to release.

Only at swirl, $21

Secret Swirl Wine Deal - Southern France

WA 93pts for $13.99, seriously? Combined with the fact that this amazing red comes from one of the oldest viticultural regions in France, farmed since Roman times, and it's made by one the most sought after winemakers of Europe, this is one special bottle!  Check out Robert Parker's review and see if it's something that interests you.  But as with all of our secret swirl deals, you have to come to the shop to find out what it is!

Robert Parker's Review: There are 3,000 cases of the naked, virginal, unoaked 2011 Vieilles Vignes made from 70% Syrah and 30% Grenache aged in concrete. The fact that wines such as this can be purchased is unbelievable. Largely an artisanal wine, it is brilliantly pure with a stunning nose of spring flowers, blackberries, cassis and earth. It is almost incomprehensible that something of this quality, complexity and richness can be purchased for $25 to $50, much less $10 to $12. The 3,000 cases should be gobbled up as quickly as they hit retailers’ shelves. I am honored to share my excitement about this amazing wine with readers.  93 points

Secret Swirl Wine Deal

Pssst.... A 2010 single vineyard Oregon Pinot at this price?!? We got a great deal on this wine and we’re passing it on, the price on line is $34, but we have a small amount of it at Swirl for $19.99!

There were only 250 cases made of this wine with big red cherry and strawberry fruit plus hints of cinnamon and toffee. The nose is rich and slightly toasted with a soft, silky mouthfeel and plenty of nuance. 

The fruit comes from 2 blocks of a small 42 acre parcel in the Dundee Hills of Oregon where this vineyard of red Jory soils occupy some of the most sought-after terrain in the region - nestled between Domaine Serene to the East and stunning Valley views to the west.  It spends 10 months aging in medium toast French oak, 20% of it new.

2010 is one of the coolest vintages in a long time, truly a Burgundy lovers dream delivering impressive concentration tenured with strong acidity. While cooler temperatures gave the wines acidity, the longer growing season well into October got sugar levels to where they needed to be right before harvest.

This is a must try for Oregon Pinot Noir fanatics but you have to come to the store to find out what it is :)