This is easily one of the most impressive Riojas under $20 I’ve tried this year. From the first sip, it achieves that perfect balance of bright red fruit, subtle oak, and firm structure that Rioja lovers seek. It’s vibrant, it’s polished, and it’s effortlessly drinkable without feeling one-dimensional. A traditional blend of 90% Tempranillo and 10% Graciano, the wine opens with ripe cherry and juicy plum notes, the wine is framed by vanilla and faint toasty oak, leading into a surprisingly long finish. Twelve months of aging in American oak barrels add a distinctly savory, umami-rich character, and the tannins are firm enough to give the wine backbone but soft enough that you don’t need to think twice about opening it on a weeknight. In my opinion, it’s often far more challenging to find wines under $20 that are well-made and delicious, as opposed to more expensive bottles where quality is expected. This Rioja really overdelivers for its modest price, easily outcompeting more pricey Riojas. Pick up a few bottles or even a case – you won’t be disappointed.

The fruit is fairly bright and fresh and it twines with the fairly liberal use of American oak there's still a juiciness to the nose and a little touch of something floral around the edges. The palate has the brightness and kind of lighter overall body that you would expect from a Crianza, with a really great line of acidity and a light grip of tannin overall. There's some cedary kind of cigarbox notes that work with and blend with the lingering very slightly toasty but mostly fruity finish. This is a wine that overdelivers from start to finish, be it the rich touch of oak on the nose or the elegance of the whole drinking experience. For this price, it deserves a little more attention.

The 2022 Palacio del Burgo Crianza is a polished, quietly charming Rioja that opens with warm red cherry, ripe plum, and a touch of sweet tobacco, all wrapped in subtle vanilla and spice from well-judged American oak. The palate is smooth and balanced, offering bright cherry and raspberry notes, soft tannins, and just a hint of cedar and earth to give it depth without weight. This is a weekday Rioja with weekend polish—ideal for roast chicken, pork loin, tapas, or nothing but a glass and good company. It’s graceful, reliable, and charming in that effortless way only Rioja seems to pull off.