SPAIN & PORTUGAL NEWSLETTER
June 2026

Having already traveled to both Spain and Portugal this year, I can say with confidence that the quality of wines coming from the Iberian Peninsula has never been better. From world-class collectibles capable of aging for decades to under-the-radar values offering remarkable character for modest prices, there has never been a more exciting time to explore these regions.

Among the bottles that have impressed me most is an extraordinary release of López de Heredia Viña Tondonia Riojas, spanning back to the 1960s and only now being released from the winery’s cellar. Also of note are the elegant Ribera del Duero wines from Dominio de Atauta, our newest direct import partner, deftly balancing power with grace, and the newest Rioja releases from the exceptional Miguel Merino, a producer we have long admired. Across both Spain and Portugal, producers are combining tradition with renewed energy, and the results are simply extraordinary.

— Rachael Ryan, K&L Spain/Portugal Wine Buyer

THIS WEEK'S HIGHLIGHTS

The Case for Collecting Spanish Wine: World-Class Quality at a Fraction of the Price
Introducing Dominio de Atauta: Our Newest Spanish Direct Import
Bodegas Miguel Merino: “Updated Classic” Rioja from Briones
Spain for Summer: Albariño, Cava, Txakolina, and Chillable Reds
The Douro Valley: Beyond Port
Mark Your Calendars: K&L's Upcoming Tasting Events

THE CASE FOR COLLECTING SPANISH WINE
World-Class Quality at a Fraction of the Price

For wine collectors seeking exceptional quality and value, Spain remains one of the most compelling—and often overlooked—categories in the fine wine world. While regions such as Bordeaux, Burgundy, and Napa Valley command increasingly high prices, Spain continues to offer world-class wines with remarkable aging potential at just a fraction of the cost, and many of the country's most iconic labels remain undervalued relative to their international peers. Read more On The Trail.

LÓPEZ DE HEREDIA

2014 Lopez de Heredia "Viña Tondonia" Blanco Reserva Rioja (Pre-Arrival) 96 $199.99 View
2013 López de Heredia "Viña Tondonia" Reserva Rioja 97 $59.99 View
2004 López de Heredia "Viña Tondonia" Reserva Rioja (Ex-Bodega 2026) 94 $119.99 View
2004 López de Heredia "Viña Tondonia" Reserva Rioja (1.5L) (Ex-Bodega 2026) 94 $274.99 View
2001 López de Heredia "Viña Tondonia" Reserva Rioja (Ex-Bodega 2026) 96 $149.99 View
2001 López de Heredia "Viña Tondonia" Reserva Rioja (1.5L) (Ex-Bodega 2026) 96 $284.99 View
1961 Lopez de Heredia "Vina Tondonia" Gran Reserva Rioja (Ex-Bodega 2026) 94 $1,694.99 View

BODEGAS MUGA

2016 Bodegas Muga "Prado Enea" Gran Reserva Rioja 97 $94.99 View
2020 Bodegas Muga "Torre Muga" Rioja 98 $124.99 View
2021 Bodegas Muga "Aro" Rioja 100 $334.99 View

LA RIOJA ALTA

2016 La Rioja Alta "904" Gran Reserva Rioja 97 $114.99 View
2016 La Rioja Alta "904" Gran Reserva Rioja (1.5L) 97 $249.99 View
1997 La Rioja Alta "904" Gran Reserva Rioja (Pre-Arrival) 96 $174.99 View

CVNE

2020 CVNE "Real de Asúa - Carromaza" Rioja (Pre-Arrival) 97 $84.99 View
2017 CVNE "Imperial" Gran Reserva Rioja 97 $89.99 View
2012 CVNE "Imperial" Gran Reserva Rioja 97 $119.99 View

CLOS MOGADOR

2023 Clos Mogador "Gratallops" Priorat (Pre-Arrival) 98 $124.99 View

TELMO RODRIGUEZ

2021 Telmo Rodriguez "Matallana" Ribera del Duero 97 $64.99 View
2022 Telmo Rodriguez "Matallana" Ribera del Duero 97 $74.99 View
2021 Telmo Rodriguez "Yjar" Rioja 100 $174.99 View

VEGA SICILIA

2020 Vega Sicilia "Pintia" Toro 95 $99.99 View
2021 Vega Sicilia "Pintia" Toro 95 $109.99 View
2022 Alión (Vega Sicilia) Ribera del Duero (Pre-Arrival) 95 $114.99 View

INTRODUCING DOMINIO DE ATAUTA
Our Newest Spanish Direct Import

We just signed a direct import deal with one of the most exciting producers in Ribera del Duero—and it means you get access to pre-Phylloxera old-vine Tempranillo at prices that shouldn't be possible.

Ribera del Duero often sits in the shadow of its more famous neighbor, Rioja, but wineries like Dominio de Atauta are proving why this region deserves far more attention. I’m thrilled to introduce this winery as our newest Spanish partner. The wines are consistently impressive, and our direct relationship means that we’re able to offer the wines at sharp prices, too. Read more On The Trail.

2022 Dominio de Atauta Ribera del Duero 93 $42.99 View
2022 Dominio de Atauta "Parada de Atauta" Ribero del Duero 92 $27.99 View
2021 Dominio de Atauta "La Celestina" Crianza Ribera del Duero 91 $19.99 View
2022 Dominio de Atauta Albillo Mayor Ribera del Duero 93 $44.99 View

BODEGAS MIGUEL MERINO
“Updated Classic” Rioja from Briones

Rioja has no shortage of excellent producers, but few walk the line between honoring the past and reimagining the future as gracefully as Bodegas Miguel Merino. In recent years, they’ve been turning heads in the staunchly traditional region and are now well-known for their “updated classic” style, as they like to call it. They’re one of the most exciting wineries that we import directly. Read more On The Trail.

2022Miguel Merino "Viñas Jóvenes" Rioja 91 $21.99 View
2019 Miguel Merino Reserva Rioja 95 $39.99 View
2019 Miguel Merino Reserva Rioja (1.5L) 95 $89.99 View
2019 Miguel Merino Gran Reserva Rioja 94 $54.99 View
2019 Miguel Merino Gran Reserva Rioja (1.5L) 94 $119.99 View
2022 Miguel Merino "La Loma" Rioja 96 $64.99 View
2022 Miguel Merino "La Insula" Garnacha Rioja 96 $64.99 View
2022 Miguel Merino "Quinta Cruz" Mazuelo Rioja 96 $43.99 View
2023 Miguel Merino Blanco Rioja 96 $39.99 View

SPAIN FOR SUMMER
Albariño, Cava, Txakolina, and Chillable Reds

When most wine drinkers think of Spain, highly structured and ageworthy reds from Rioja or Ribera del Duero most often come to mind. During the warm days of summer, however, Spain reveals an entirely different side, defined by vibrant whites, serious sparkling wines and chillable reds perfectly suited to afternoons in the sun. From the cool Atlantic coast of Galicia to the Mediterranean-influenced vineyards of Penedès and the hills of Navarra and Aragón, Spain offers an incredible range of wines for warm weather that deliver the authenticity and sense of place that make the country's wines so compelling. Read more On The Trail.

SPARKLING

NV Mas Codina Brut Nature Gran Reserva Cava Penedès $16.99 View
2023 AT Roca Brut Nature Reserva Corpinnat (Cava) $24.99 View
2020 Celler Pardas "Hermós" Brut Nature Corpinnat (Cava) $44.98 View

ALBARIÑO

2024 As Laxas "Laxas" Albariño Rias Baixas $17.99 View
2024 Lagar de Costa Albarino Rias Baixas $21.99 View
2025 Zárate Albariño Rias Baixas $24.99 View
2025 Forja de Salnés "Leirana" Albariño Rías Baixas $31.99 View
2024 Do Ferreiro Albariño Rias Baixas $34.99 View

TXAKOLINA

2024 Bidaia Getariako Txakolina $19.99 View
2025 Ameztoi Getariako Txakolina $23.99 View
2025Ameztoi "Rubentis" Rosé Getariako Txakolina$23.99View

OTHER WHITES

2024 Jose Pariente Verdejo Rueda $21.99 View
2024 Joaquín Rebolledo Godello Valdeorras $17.99 View
2025 Gramona "Gessami" Sauvignon Blanc-Muscat Penedès $24.99 View

CHILLABLE REDS

2024 Valderba Tempranillo Aragon $12.99 View
2024 Vera de Estenas Bobal Utiel-Requena $14.99 View
2024 Viña Zorzal Garnacha Navarra $14.99 View
2022 Viña Zorzal Graciano Navarra $18.99 View
2025 Artuke "Maceracion Carbonica" Rioja $19.99 View

THE DOURO VALLEY
Beyond Port

The Douro Valley is synonymous with breathtaking ancient terraces—even achieving UNESCO World Heritage status for these incredible old vineyards carved into hillsides overlooking the river—and, of course, the Port wine that is produced here. In recent decades, however, the region has increasingly begun to explore red wine production. While some unfortified wines were always made for local consumption, they were largely overshadowed by Port. The perception lingered that the Douro's indigenous grape varieties, such as Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca, Tinta Roriz (Tempranillo), Tinta Barroca, and Tinto Cão, were primarily suited for Port's powerful, sweet profile. This only began to change in the second half of the 20th century. The Douro appellation for these unfortified wines (separate from the Port appellation) was only formalized in 1998, showing just how new this style of wines is for the historic region. Read more On The Trail.

2022 Mary Taylor Wines "Filipe Ferreira" Tinto Douro 93 $16.99 View
2021 Duorum "Altitude" Tinto Douro 92 $17.99 View
2023 Quinta do Crasto Tinto Douro 90 $19.99 View
2022 Mateus Nicolau de Almeida "Trans-Douro-Express" Tinto Douro Superior 90 $26.99 View
2022 Wine & Soul "Manoella" Tinto Douro 93 $27.99 View
2020 Casa Ferreirinha "Quinta da Leda" Tinto Douro 95 $79.99 View