2018 Rioja Reserva. Ridiculous Price. (Here’s Why)
Offer available through Monday or as inventory lasts.
Did you get this page from a friend or a social media link?
Sign up for our newsletter to never miss info on our Friday offers or upcoming classes and events.
Hi everyone –
This is the kind of deal I love.
A wholesaler/importer reached out with a bit of a problem. They had a bottle break in the warehouse, and the cascade of wine went all over a handful of cases, staining all the labels of the bottles. It wasn’t noticed for a bit, so some of the labels started to peel off, on top of looking not quite perfect.
They cleaned up the bottles as best they could, but the bottles were in no shape to sell to a retailer. They found a by-the-glass home for some of it at a local restaurant, but decided they want to just get rid of the pile.
So they called me up. Want to buy it at cost and pass the savings along? Yes, please!
This wine is awesome. A wonderful producer that we’ve featured in the last two RiojaFest events. I tasted the wine again yesterday just to confirm it was up to scratch (for I hadn’t yet had the 2018 vintage). Boy, was it ever. Yum!
Welcome to the stained-label offering of LAN Rioja Reserva 2018! The best price available in the country.
About LAN RIOJA
In the world of Rioja, there are houses that define tradition, and there are houses that quietly refine it. Bodegas LAN sits in that second category—less mythologized than the 19th-century estates, but deeply influential in shaping what modern Rioja looks like today.
Founded in 1972, LAN takes its name from the three provinces that form Rioja—Logroño, Álava, and Navarra—and that idea of synthesis runs through everything they do. This is a winery built not on rigid adherence to tradition, but on balance: between regions, between oak types, and between past and present.
At the heart of the estate is Viña Lanciano, a striking vineyard wrapped in a bend of the Ebro River, where old vines and varied soils give LAN the raw material to build wines of both structure and finesse. The winery has built its reputation on consistency and value, producing wines that feel unmistakably Rioja, but cleaner, more polished, and more accessible than some of the region’s more rustic benchmarks.
This philosophy finds one of its clearest expressions in this 2018 LAN Reserva.
Tasting note for the 2018 Reserva: A Study in Balance Over Power
The 2018 vintage in Rioja leans toward elegance rather than muscle, and LAN plays directly into that character. But don’t take this the wrong way: this wine has muscle that’s more like a soccer player than a linebacker.
Built primarily on Tempranillo, with small additions of Mazuelo and Garnacha, the wine draws from both Rioja Alta and Rioja Alavesa—zones known for freshness and aromatic lift. It is aged for roughly 20–22 months in a mix of French and American oak, followed by extended bottle aging before release.
That dual-oak approach is essential to understanding the wine, and not found often in Rioja. American oak brings warmth—vanilla, coconut, sweet spice—while French oak adds structure and restraint. The result is a wine that feels layered, but never heavy.
In the glass, the 2018 shows cherry and blackberry fruit, subtle earth, and a clear thread of spice, all carried on a medium-bodied frame with polished tannins and fresh acidity.
Critically, this is not a “big” Rioja. It is a composed one.
Ancient vines at LAN (from SpanishWineLover.com) and the terra cotta soils of the old vineyards.
What the Critics Say
The professional consensus around the 2018 LAN Reserva is remarkably consistent—and telling.
92 points from James Suckling, highlighting its freshness, depth, and fine-grained finish.
90 points from Vinous notes its juicy, plush texture and modern Rioja profile.
92 points from Natalie MacLean, calling out smoky plum, spice, and structured depth.
Taken together, these scores tell a clear story: this is not a wine chasing power or concentration. It is a wine defined by clarity, drinkability, and precision.
Buying advice
This is a special opportunity to get some great Rioja at the lowest price in the country. Stock up, for this will drink well for years!
Pricing and availability only through Monday afternoon or until sold out. EXTREMELY LIMITED STOCK.
Jason Kallsen
Sommelier and founder/owner of Twin Cities Wine Education
Offer is open until Monday at 3:00 pm Central Time, or while inventory lasts.