El Nido Clio 2022

El Nido Clio 2022 is a 750ml, 15% ABV red blend from Jumilla, Spain, built on old-vine Monastrell and Cabernet Sauvignon. The 2022 vintage earned 93 points from James Suckling, Wine Spectator, and Wine Advocate alike—a consistent mark of quality that positions Clio among the most reliable high-end reds from southeastern Spain.

Quick Facts: ABV: 15%  |  Origin: Jumilla, Murcia, Spain  |  Vintage: 2022  |  Producer: Bodegas El Nido

Production & Heritage

Bodegas El Nido sits in the Valle de La Aragona within the Jumilla appellation of Murcia. The Clio draws from 32 hectares of very old Monastrell vines and 12 hectares of Cabernet Sauvignon, with all fruit hand-harvested in small baskets to prevent bruising. The blend—70% Monastrell, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon—is fermented in stainless steel with neutral yeasts, then aged for approximately 23 months in a combination of 60% new French oak and 40% American oak barrels. Individual parcels are fermented and aged separately before final blending, giving the winemaking team precise control over the finished wine's character.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with explosive dark fruit—blueberry and boysenberry leading the charge—before layering in pipe tobacco, vanilla bean, and a subtle minerality. Briar and toasted oak emerge with time in the glass.

Taste: On entry, the palate is plush and opulent, with concentrated boysenberry and cassis giving way to espresso and dried mint at mid-palate. Black licorice and aromatic herbs add a savory complexity that builds density through the finish. The oak integration is thorough without overwhelming the ripe Monastrell fruit at the wine's core.

Finish: Long and silky, with lingering smoky spice, ripe berry, and a subtle sweetness from the extended oak aging. The tannins are resolved and velvety, leaving a persistent impression of dark fruit and toasted grain.

How to Drink Clio 2022

Serve at 60–65°F (16–18°C) and decant for 30 to 60 minutes to let the oak and fruit fully integrate. Clio rewards patience in the glass and drinks best on its own alongside a meal. Given its concentration and structure, this is primarily a food wine or a contemplative sipper rather than a cocktail ingredient. Pair it with grilled red meats, slow-braised lamb, or aged hard cheeses where its weight and savory character can match rich, hearty flavors.

Best For

• Gifting a red wine enthusiast who appreciates bold, oak-aged Spanish blends
• Anchoring a dinner party around grilled or braised meats
• Exploring Jumilla as a serious wine region beyond its value-tier reputation
• Cellaring for medium-term aging (3–7 years from vintage) to track its evolution

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Clio 2022 taste like? Clio 2022 delivers concentrated boysenberry, cassis, and espresso flavors with layers of black licorice, dried mint, and aromatic herbs, all framed by silky, well-integrated oak tannins.

How does Clio compare to El Nido? Clio is described as offering the same saturated, opulent style as the flagship El Nido bottling but in a slightly more compact and accessible package; El Nido typically commands a significantly higher price and uses a greater proportion of Cabernet Sauvignon with even more extended aging.

Is Clio 2022 good for sipping on its own? Absolutely—its plush texture, density, and long finish make it an excellent wine for sipping without food, especially after 30 to 60 minutes of decanting.

Where is Clio made? Clio is produced by Bodegas El Nido, located in the Valle de La Aragona within the Jumilla DO appellation in the Murcia region of southeastern Spain.

What foods pair well with Clio 2022? Grilled lamb chops complement the wine's smoky, herbal notes; slow-braised short ribs match its weight and density; aged Manchego or Idiazábal cheese echoes the Spanish terroir; charred eggplant with romesco sauce bridges the savory spice; and dark chocolate desserts mirror the espresso and licorice undertones.

What sizes does Clio come in? The standard release is a 750ml bottle, which is the most widely available format.

Is Clio 2022 worth the price? Clio positions as a premium Spanish red that consistently over-delivers relative to its price tier—multiple critics have noted that comparable wines from regions like Napa Valley would cost significantly more, making it a strong value within the 93-point quality bracket.

Why Clio 2022?

Three simultaneous 93-point scores from James Suckling, Wine Spectator, and Wine Advocate give this vintage a rare consensus of critical approval. The foundation of very old Monastrell vines—harvested by hand into small baskets, then aged nearly two years in a carefully calibrated split of French and American oak—produces a wine with genuine depth rather than manufactured richness. Jumilla remains one of Spain's most undervalued appellations for serious red wine, and Clio stands as one of the strongest arguments for the region's potential at the premium level. For drinkers accustomed to paying substantially more for equivalent concentration and polish from better-known origins, this bottle represents a compelling intersection of quality and value.