Bodegas Valderiz Ribera del Duero 2018

Organic

Over 25 years ago, Tomás Esteban, a visionary viticultor from Roa, chose some of the best plots of flints, sandy and limestone soils around his town to plant his vineyard. Today Tomás Esteban cultivates, with his sons Ricardo and Juan, over 75 hectares. Picked from a traditional vineyard, trained as bushes, grafted from the best old vines of Tinto del Pais in the Ribera del Duero.

The family is among the pioneers of organic farming in Ribera del Duero. The complete absence of herbicides, pesticides and fertilisers is their trademark.

The typical climate is moderate to low rainfall (450mm p.a.) coupled with hot dry summers (max 40ºC) and long hard winters (min -10ºC). Added to remarkable variations in temperature in all four seasons, this should classify it as a Mediterranean climate, with over 2,400 hours of sun p.a. Importantly this interacts boldly with the fundamentally continental climate typical on this high central plateau in central Spain.

"This velvety red offers generous layers of cherry reduction, espresso, clove and loamy earth notes that are flanked with licorice, graphite and floral hints. Shows freshness and concentration. Drink now through 2039." 95 Points - Wine Spectator

Very clean and transparent Duero red with dark-berry, floral and dry-soil aromas that follow through to a medium body, fine tannins and a fresh finish. Nice energy. 95% tinto fino and 5% albillo. From organically grown grapes. Drink now. - James Suckling