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Dominio del Challao Rioja Virna 2022

$2799

An Argentine winemaker walks into Rioja. It sounds like a setup, but Manu Michelini -- of the Mendoza winemaking clan -- teamed up with Rioja native Carlos Fernandez in Labastida to farm old vines organically and biodynamically at around 600 meters, aging the wines in 12th-century caves where the temperature and humidity simply don't move. Virna comes from the more vigorous sites: Tempranillo and Garnacha with a scattering of Mazuelo, Viura, Garnacha Blanca and other odds and ends from 1960s field-blend plantings. Fermented in open-top concrete with native yeasts, raised in barrel and then back to concrete. This is Rioja with energy and grip instead of oak and vanilla, and it tastes like two traditions arguing productively.

Shipping

Every step of the journey is managed to uphold the integrity of each bottle.

  • Nationwide Access: Flat-rate shipping available to most U.S. states with delivery in 3-5 business days.
  • Temperature-Monitored Shipping: We closely monitor weather conditions and make informed decisions to ensure shipments travel safely, with insulated packaging and refrigerated transport available when required.
  • Wine-Specific Protective Packaging: Specialized materials designed to maintain label integrity and prevent breakage during transit.
  • Provenance Assured: All wines are maintained in climate-controlled conditions at our shop until the moment of dispatch.

Returns & Exchanges

We stand behind every bottle we sell.

  • If the wine is less than 10 years old and it is corked, you may return it to us for a full refund or exchange within 60 days of purchase. You must show us proof of purchase. We understand that you may not live near a shop and that it is difficult to ship open bottles of wine to us, so if there's any problem feel free to Contact Us and we'll work it out.
  • For wines older than 10 years, the consumer bears the risk of a faulty cork, but we accept returns of older bottles if the wine is faulty as a result of improper storage. Please come by the store or Contact Us if there is a problem.
  • We may, at our discretion and to the extent permitted by law, accept returns of unopened wines within 30 days of purchase if they were properly stored by the purchaser, subject to a 15% re-stocking fee.

View our complete return policy →

Have Questions?

Our team is here to help.

Hours

Monday - Friday: 11am - 8pm

Saturday: 12pm - 5pm

CLOSED SUNDAYS

Email: help@flatiron-wines.com
Phone: (415) 780-1405


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Antonio Galloni

89 points

"The 2022 Dominio del Challao Virna was sourced from the most vigorous vineyards in Labastida. On the nose, it offers herbal and ripe fruit notes such as blackberry, sour cherry and orange peel. The palate is firm, with active tannins and a juicy finish, resulting in a structured, energetic Rioja with personality." —Joaquín Hidalgo

Robert Parker

92 points

"The new village red 2022 Virna was produced with the grapes from the lower part of the Angelita vineyard that delivers more fruit-driven and approachable wines. It's a blend of 60% Tempranillo, 30% Garnacha and the rest Mazuelo, Viura, Garnacha Blanca and other rare varieties that fermented in open-top concrete vats with indigenous yeasts and matured in 225- and 500-liter barrels for 10 months and another 10 months in concrete before bottling. The nose is quite impacting, expressive and open, with some exuberance, notes of orange peel and red berry fruit and notes of herbs that remind me of some wines from yesteryear. It has a medium-bodied palate but with a very fine thread and chalky tannins. In 2022 (and in 2023), they harvested earlier to control the ripeness and alcohol in the wines. It has a moderate 13% alcohol and a pH of 3.4, and it's balanced, fine boned and very approachable." —Luis Gutiérrez

More about Dominio del Challao

In fairy tales, there are often young men who go out to seek their fortune, a sack on their back. Sometimes, in the world of wine, it happens in real life. This is the story of Manuel “Manu” Michelini.

Manu grew up in a wine-producing family in Argentina. His Dad believed strongly in allowing his kids to seek out their own path in life. One vintage, he gave a bunch of grapes to Manu and said “Here, make some wine”. Manu did his best.

Still very young, Manu eventually put that sack on his back and went to Europe. He knocked on every door in Burgundy, asking if he could help. Most people said no. But Bize, Roulot, and Ramonet all welcomed him, and suddenly he was on his way to learning how to make great wine in a terroir-oriented Burgundian fashion.

But Manu’s destiny did not lie in Burgundy. He was drawn to Rioja, where land was plentiful and there was an ancient wine tradition that had not yet been (widely) translated into the more pure-fruited, terroir-focused wines of today. He went there and started Dominio del Challao.

He is still only 28 years old, but he has somehow managed to work 30 harvests! (Yes, those Southern Hemisphere harvests count too.) So he offers that rare combination of deep experience and youthful innovation.

Wine Details

  • Grape Variety

    Grenache , Red Blend , Tempranillo

  • Vintage

    2022

  • Size

    750ml

  • Farming Practice

    Organic

  • Style

    Earthy , Fruity , Minerally

  • Sweetness

    Dry

  • Body

    Medium Bodied

Flatiron's Take

From the Importer

Tasting Notes & Food Pairings

Perfect Pairings

Grilled lamb chops with pimenton, or a spread of chorizo, jamon and Manchego.

Tasting Profile

Medium-bodied red. Blackberry and sour cherry with orange peel and dried herbs. Firm, active tannins and a juicy finish. Savory and dry, not sweet.

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