Conde Valdemar Reserva
WHY WE LOVE IT
- Conde de Valdemar Reserva is a red wine made from a traditional blending of the Tempranillo, Graciano and Mazuelo varieties that grow in Bodegas Valdemar’s own vineyards spread across three large areas of the DOC Rioja, including Rioja Alta, Rioja Baja and Rioja Alavesa.
- It is a wine which reveals a perfect harmony blend of ripe fruit and the finesse of sweet spices, cocoa and toffee nuances produced by its well-balanced barrel aging.
Varietal: 80% Tempranillo, 10% Mazuelo, 6% Garnacha, 4% Maturana
Elaboration: Vinified in stainless steel tanks at a controlled temperature. It then ages in American (65%) and French (35%) oak barrels for 21 months.
Tasting Notes: Bright ruby red color with an intense robe. Complex aroma that blends notes of toffee, licorice, and black fruit. Additionally, there are hints of underbrush, aromatic herbs, spices, and subtle mineral nuances. The palate is balanced and vibrant, with a long aftertaste that reflects its rich ageing, showing elegance and finesse.
PRESS
2016 – 92 James Suckling
2017 – 91 James Suckling
PRODUCER BACKGROUND
“Always pioneering” is Bodegas Valdemar’s motto. Five generations of the Valdemar family in Rioja, Spain, have remained committed to producing wines reflecting the diversity of their vineyards. For over 135 years, the family has incorporated innovative initiatives like creating the first barrel-fermented white wine and the first Tempranillo white. They have also been instrumental in recovering varietals presumed to be extinct, such as the Maturana grape and the Granciano variety.
In 2019, they established the first non-American winery in Washington State, led by siblings Jesús and Ana Martínez Bujanda, CEO and COO of Valdemar Estates. Under the “inherited know-how” they received from previous generations, the innovative winemakers have turned their land into sustainable wine agroecosystems, using organic matter to improve fertility, cover crops, pheromones to control pests, varietal diversity, biological corridors, and native forests, resulting in an the International “Wineries for Climate Protection” certification. This designation’s four pillars align with the Bodegas Valdemar commitment to reducing the carbon footprint, using renewable energies, and managing water while reducing waste.