2007 Conda de Valdemar Reserva – Rioja – Spain
90% Tempranillo, 5% Mazuelo and 5% Graciano
Some pronunciations: Tempranillo (temp-ruh-NEE-oh) Rioja (ree-OH-hah)
Bodega Valdemar dates back to 1889. Their wines have for a long time been a reference point for quality and innovation in this world-famous region. There have been 5 generations of family ownership and they own over 820 acres of vineyards, making them one of the largest estates in the Rioja. Over the years they have branched into over vineyard areas of Spain, but Rioja will always be their home.
They built a new winery in 1984 integrating both new and time-honoured traditions of winemaking and they named this estate Conda de Valdemar, which Wine & Spirits magazine recently chose as one of the best 5 wineries in Rioja over the past 25 years.
This Reserva has been aged for 22 months in oak and is a serious and elegant wine that is considered the flagship and benchmark of the Conde de Valdemar style. Many Rioja wine enthusiasts swear by the Reserva level because they fit between the super fruity Crianza style and oakey-bottle-aged Gran Reserva style. At any one time they have over 3,500,000 bottles aging in their cellar – A mixture of Reserva / Gran Reserva .
The wine has a bright cherry red colour. It is very modern and assured with these really enticing aromas of red fruits, tar and vanilla that are just so appealing. Then there is the oak, which is incredibly supportive. It has an amazing freshness for a wine of this age, with silky tannins and lovely red fruits. So Fresh, vibrant and powerful, with this minerality and acidity framing the wine. Oak is prominent, but supports the wine. A wine that is very tasty fleshy and well balanced. It is just crying out for some meat and a second glass.