Hi Everyone,
They called Toyota’s third-generation MR2 Spyder the “Poor Man’s Ferrari.” The car’s lines echoed Ferrari’s 360 Modena, snap oversteer made it feel exotic and slightly dangerous, but the panel gaps were often as wide as a 6mm allen wrench and Akio Yoshida’s naturally aspirated 1.8 liter motor would take six or seven seconds to hit 60 mph. To even mention “Ferrari” in a conversation that includes the MR2 is a massive stretch, or so we all agreed at the table last Monday…
We were drinking Muga Reserva Especial at the time, and this conversation spurred Marc to reach into his bag and pull out three vintages of a tete-de-cuvee Rioja bottling from a family in Rioja’s high altitude Alavesa subdistrict. The label read Mixtarro. He had just hoarded their entire production of this bottling, at, in his words, “Toyota-style pricing,” and we were looking at a classic “Stickers and Cars Marc” style situation in the making…
Out came the (uggh…stickered) bottles.
Marc went on to explain that this small, suddenly trending, third-generation Bodega, Gomez de Segura, is based in Laguardia, with cellars dug by hand into the hillside, and an enviable swath of 60+ year old bush vine Tempranillo. Three bottles sat on the table: A 2021, 2022, and 2023.
Any of the three vintages of Gomez de Segura Mixtarro sitting before us, Marc insisted, would compare to the Muga Reserva Especial in our glasses at a fraction of the cost in a way that Toyota’s automotive engineers would have only dreamt of in 1985 Japan. While pulling corks Marc continued on about how Mixtarro was no dupe, boasting that if anything what we were about to drink was superior to the beloved reference (the Muga) we were about to put it up against. He rummaged through his bag and pulled out a one pager showing press for each:
2021: “Inky violet-red in the glass, this wine has a nose of raspberry liqueur, Luxardo cherry, anisette and rose petal. Tannins slowly build in volume while flavors of blackberry, black-cherry, clove, violet and chocolate-covered-caramel fill the mouth. Touches of orange zest and coffee bean make their way to the smooth finish. 95 points (reviewed at $65).” — Mike DeSimone, Wine Enthusiast 9/23
2022: “Deep violet in the glass, with aromas and flavors of sweet berries, black cherry, and spiced chocolate. This is a gratifying Tempranillo with tannins that melt across the palate, bringing silken layers and profound finish. A zest of orange and grapefruit, and pour of mocha emerge with further sipping. 94 points (reviewed at $85).” — Elaine Chukan Brown, Wine Enthusiast 4/26
2023: “Almost inky violet ruby in the glass. Seductive aromas of dried blossoms, red fruits, spiced liqueur lift from the glass, leading into flavors of dark fruits, and lightly spiced, sweet chocolate. Pleasing texture and silky tannins make for an enticing, satisfying Tempranillo. 95 points (reviewed at $85).” — Elaine Chukan Brown, Wine Enthusiast 4/26
Into new/clean stems went each wine…
Each vintage showed incredible, with splashy power, tons of complexity, and the texture we seek in the category. Time in bottle is always a plus, and it pushed the 2021 vintage to the top of our ranking order.
2021 was the vintage we would take.
…and the pricing?
At a cost basis in the thirties these would be nice.
At a cost basis in the twenties these would be amazing.
…but we were with our favorite sales rep Marc.
“Stickers and Cars Marc.”
His fist hit the table: “fourteens, let’s go.”
What?
Yes – $14.85.
It makes no sense.
First-come-first-served.
We don’t say this often, but if you usually hesitate to buy, buy 1 cases, if you usually buy 1 case, buy 2 cases. You’ll be happy to have done so.
