Almost four years ago, we wrote this about the 2001 Faustino Rioja Gran Reserva,
“An amazing Rioja, a surprising review, and a price that’s under $30… here we have the makings of one of the most exciting offers we have presented this year. Sure, we ‘play the hits’ as well as anyone, promoting hot buys and wines that get big reviews. However, unlike a lot of other wine merchants, we put a lot more effort into developing brands that we happen to like ourselves whether or not they have been favored by the media. Faustino Rioja is one of those brands (particularly their Gran Reserva) that we have developed over the years simply because we happen to like it (gasp).”
That was a pre-arrival offer we did in November of 2013, and it did prove to be one of the most exciting offers we did that year, and the year after that, and even for our Anniversary sale last year. How does such a spectacular wine and value stay on the market for so long? We alone sold about 1000 cases of it, and it seemed that every time we thought it was almost gone, the supplier ‘found’ some more. It got to the point where we kind of took it for granted. How much of a wine that was a 97 point, Decanter Magazine Wine of the Year did these guys make anyway?
Suffice it to say it has been an amazing run almost unparalleled in our history, and the Faustino I Rioja Gran Reserva 2001 has made many happy customers as well as having been a welcome go-to for us. I mean, how many 97-point, 16-year-old reds are out there under $30? Only one we know of. But for all of you who have been fans of this (and there must be a few if you), this really is the ‘last call’ on this special wine. Judging from what the wholesaler has left, it will sell out some time, without warning, over the next month.
Yeah, we know we have intimated before that the party was over, only to be told by the purveyor that another batch appeared. This time however, we think they are serious for a couple of reasons. They released a final finite batch that they had been saving for a restaurant that, as happens so often, didn’t fulfill their commitment. Prior to that there was no wine to be had for a few weeks. Perhaps more telling, the purveyor is set to receive inventory on the 2004 Gran Reserva, something they would never even had ordered if there was still 2001 to be had.
Stock up on this legendary Rioja while you can because this time ‘the end is near’ and ‘you don’t know what you’ve got ‘til it’s gone…”