Conde Valdemar Gran Reserva 2017
A mature, elegant Rioja produced from selected old-vine parcels in Rioja Alavesa, combining Tempranillo with small amounts of Graciano, Maturana Tinta and Garnacha.
Aged for 25 months in French and American oak, the wine has developed a complex combination of black fruit, plum and liquorice, layered with balsamic notes, laurel, black tea and subtle oak spice. The palate is smooth and structured, with polished tannins and enough freshness to retain excellent balance.
The 2017 has an impressive critical record, including 93 points from Decanter, 92 from James Suckling, 92 from Tim Atkin and 91 from Wine Spectator.
A superb choice for those looking for traditional, mature Rioja Gran Reserva with considerably more complexity and development than a Crianza or Reserva.
Spain
Rioja
Blend
750ml
14%
2017
Gran Reserva
RiojaThe Valdemar family has a long history in Rioja, and Conde Valdemar Gran Reserva represents the more traditional, age-worthy side of the estate's production.
The 2017 comes from a selection of old vines owned by the family in Rioja Alavesa, one of Rioja's three principal sub-regions. The final blend is precisely 88% Tempranillo, 8% Graciano, 2% Maturana Tinta and 2% Garnacha.
Following vinification, the wine spends 25 months in a combination of French and American oak barrels. Extended maturation gives the wine its developed spice and savoury character while allowing the naturally concentrated fruit from the old vines to remain at the centre.
Unlike many younger Rioja styles, this is designed around maturity and complexity: a wine where fruit, oak and bottle development come together rather than one dominated by youthful fruit.
This is a full-bodied, dry and mature Rioja red with a distinctly traditional Gran Reserva character.
Expect black plum and dark berries, followed by liquorice, sweet spice, balsamic herbs, tobacco-like complexity and polished oak.
The long maturation has softened the tannins considerably, but the 2017 retains enough acidity and structure to prevent it feeling heavy.
Compared with a Rioja Reserva, this is more mature, savoury and complex, with greater emphasis on secondary and tertiary flavours developed through prolonged ageing.
In simple terms: elegant, mature and complex – classic old-vine Rioja Gran Reserva.
- Nose: Intense and complex, showing ripe black fruit and plum alongside liquorice, balsamic notes of laurel and a subtle suggestion of black tea.
- Palate: Elegant and smooth, with excellent structure and freshness. Ripe fruit is complemented by savoury spice and polished oak, while mature tannins give the wine a rounded, refined texture.
- Finish: Broad, savoury and persistent, with lingering dark fruit, spice and mature balsamic character.
- Grilled Red Meat – an ideal match for the wine's structure and mature tannins.
- Roast Lamb – one of the classic Rioja combinations.
- Slow-Cooked Beef – complements its dark fruit and savoury development.
- Roasts & Stews – excellent with rich, slow-cooked dishes.
- Iberian Charcuterie – the fruit and acidity balance cured meats beautifully.
- Mature Cheese – particularly good with aged Manchego and other firm cheeses.
- Serve at around 16–18°C
- 30–45 minutes in a decanter before serving. As a mature Gran Reserva, it is also sensible to stand the bottle upright beforehand if it has been stored horizontally, as some sediment may have developed.
- Serve in a generous red-wine glass to allow the developed fruit, spice and balsamic aromas to open.
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