Bodegas Valduero - Ribera del Duero Reserva 2011
Pairing Suggestions
Bodegas Valduero - Ribera del Duero Reserva 2011 (90 TSW)
Valduero’s vineyards are amongst the highest in the D.O. of Ribera del Duero, with several resultant benefits. The grapes hang longer while retaining their acidity and not developing excessive alcohol. This Reserva is aged largely in French oak (30 months) and some barrels from Hungary and America. After that bottle aging for 18 months.
The grapes are picked by hand, in crates, as tradition demands. Fermentation lasts 8 days at temperatures between 23ºC and 28ºC, followed by a maceration lasting 10 days. Each time the maximum temperature of fermentation is reached, they carry out a daily process of pumping over.
My tasting notes:
In the glass a deep garnet red color.
On the medium+ nose aromas of black cherries, plums and blackberries with hints of barrique, vanilla, leather, chocolate and smoke.
On the palate dry, medium++ bodied with medium acidity and ripe tannins. Good structure and balance and integration of the wood. Round and smooth in the mouth with flavours that are a recall of the nose with a nice fruity, balsamico finish.
Its flavours suit well all types of game, the famous roast baby lamb and cured cheeses.
Valduero has a number of special wine cellars that lie deep underground up to 40 meters deep. The humidity, temperature is perfect for maturing the wine. Around 3,500 oak barrels of French, American and Eastern European descent are stored here.
Yolanda Garcia Viadero is responsible for the wines and is known as one of the best oenologists in Spain. Across the board, her wines are soft and juicy with a lot of power, extraction, structure and storage potential.