Valderiz 2001
Ribera del Duero is hot. The number of first rate bodegas in the fastest growing Spanish wine region has increased dramatically since the creation of the DO in 1982 and the investment in vineyards and wineries has resulted in modern and high quality wines. Tomas Esteban Cristóbal is one of the growers that saw the great potential of the region. In the early eighties he planted vineyards with Tinto Fino in three different zones around Roa, all with very different soil properties. Telmo Rodriguez and fellow-winemaker Pablo Eguzkiza, operating under the name Compañia de Vinos de Telmo Rodriguez, added Ribero to their portfolio on the hunt for new terroirs. Esteban’s low-yielding old-vine grapes and Rodriguez’ oenological expertise are the main ingredients for the Valderiz. The wine is completely made from Tinto Fino from different vineyards, allowing the terroirs to express their characters into the wine. Aged in oak for 18 months this Crianza shows us it’s also Ribera’s climate that is hot. With 14% alcohol this full-bodied wine fully reflects the region’s warm and dry summers. The nose shows the typical earthy and gamey flavours, backed by dark plum, coffee and tobacco. The wine is full, complex and long with beautiful integrated soft and grainy tannins on the finish. Concentrated yet balanced and elegant, this wine can go for another 5 years. 92 points.
Source:The Spanish Acquisition Price: $64 Drink: Now-2012
