2000 VALDERIZ Tempranillo-Ribeira del Duero-Spain.
Posted: Sun Oct 05, 2003 8:16 am
Tasting Note No.6
I consider Spain one of the greatest wine producing countries in the world, however the fact remains, that at the 'Tasting Spain' event, of the 10 wines tasted I only found one worthy of mention. New winemaker Telmo Rodriguez started in 1998 with VALDERIZ in the Ribeira del Duero region and he made a beautiful Tempranillo from the good vintage of 2000. Tempranillo is the best indigenous grape of Spain (also called Tinto Fino, Tinta del Pais etc.) contributing to such great wines as Vega Sicilia (AU $90-400) or the cult Dominio de Pingus 1998 (AU $400) in this region. Many argues that this variety's true home is the Duero, even wines from Rioja can't stand up against the greatness of the Tempranillo here.
Intense and very dark blood red colour. Perfumed nose of dark cherry, anise and vanilla oak. The palate is silky and very juicy, black cherry and chocolate notes mixing with the robust tannins. A powerful wine with a BITTER finish that may puzzle some. It is unique and balanced, those used to a lot of cabernet and shiraz, should have an open mind when trying this. A very good wine that can be drunk now, it still needs 6 more years to soften. Although the grapes came from 50 years old vines and the wine spent 18 months in quality French oak, I still find the price of AU $50 a little steep, the AU $30 pricetag would be more realistic. Still, for those never tried the variety, this very good example is the go.
Tasted:May,2003
I consider Spain one of the greatest wine producing countries in the world, however the fact remains, that at the 'Tasting Spain' event, of the 10 wines tasted I only found one worthy of mention. New winemaker Telmo Rodriguez started in 1998 with VALDERIZ in the Ribeira del Duero region and he made a beautiful Tempranillo from the good vintage of 2000. Tempranillo is the best indigenous grape of Spain (also called Tinto Fino, Tinta del Pais etc.) contributing to such great wines as Vega Sicilia (AU $90-400) or the cult Dominio de Pingus 1998 (AU $400) in this region. Many argues that this variety's true home is the Duero, even wines from Rioja can't stand up against the greatness of the Tempranillo here.
Intense and very dark blood red colour. Perfumed nose of dark cherry, anise and vanilla oak. The palate is silky and very juicy, black cherry and chocolate notes mixing with the robust tannins. A powerful wine with a BITTER finish that may puzzle some. It is unique and balanced, those used to a lot of cabernet and shiraz, should have an open mind when trying this. A very good wine that can be drunk now, it still needs 6 more years to soften. Although the grapes came from 50 years old vines and the wine spent 18 months in quality French oak, I still find the price of AU $50 a little steep, the AU $30 pricetag would be more realistic. Still, for those never tried the variety, this very good example is the go.
Tasted:May,2003