By Bodegas Valdelacierva
Valdelacierva Reserva Rioja

Wine Details
Type: Reserva
Variety: Tempranillo
Vintage: 2015
Bottle Type: Bordeaux conical
Harvest: Hand-picked
Winemaker: Emma Villajos

Vineyard Details
Vineyard: Plots in Llano, La Salmuera, and Rio de las Canas in Banos de Ebro
Soil: Clay-calcareous with pebbles
Altitude: 550 meters
Vineyard Age: Over 50 years old
Yield: 4,500 kg/ha

History
Founded in 1988, Bodegas Valdelacierva belongs to Hispanobodegas Group, which owns wineries in the three most important appellations in Spain: Rioja, Ribera del Duero, and Rueda. Valdelacierva is located in the heart of the Rioja Alta (Navarrete). It has 200 hectares of vineyards, divided into small plots with vines between 25 and 130 years old. The winery has a young and dynamic personality. It is focused on making wines where the soil and the Tempranillo variety are indisputable protagonists.

Production
De-stemmed and non-crushed grapes vatted in small capacity conical deposits. Fermentation is done at a controlled temperature of 24-26 degrees C for 5-7 days. Post-fermentation maceration, with an average of 12 days per deposit. Malolactic fermentation in 500- and 225-l new French oak barrels. Aging is carried over in those same barrels for 24 months. It is then rounded in bottle for 12 months.

Tasting Notes
Visual: Mature cherry color with garnet edging, high layer
Nose: Intense, complex, and harmonious, highlighting wild blackberries over a mineral background, toffee, cocoa, and French oak spiced notes
Palate: Well structured, gentle, wide, and meaty with a sustained and elegant ending with cocoa and toffee hints; long and persistent finish

Technical Notes
Serving Temperature: 14-16 degrees C
Vegan Certification: Yes
Alcohol: 14.50%
[Information provided by V and N Cellars]

Valdelacierva 2015 Reserva (Rioja)
Rating: 92
Price: $38
Designation: Reserva
Variety: Tempranillo
Appellation: Rioja, Northern Spain, Spain
Winery: Valdelacierva
Bottle Size: 750.00 ml
Category: Red
Importer: USA Wine West
Date Published: 8/1/2019
Reviewed by: Michael Shachner
Classic Rioja aromas of plum fruit, olive, pipe tobacco, vanilla and dry earth are a fine opening and lead to a tight sinewy palate, with a firm structure. Currant, plum, cocoa and vanilla flavors finish with tannic bite and length along with a hint of oxidation in the backdrop. Drink through 2025.

Bodegas Valdelacierva, Reserva, Rioja, Spain, 2015
Producer: Bodegas Valdelacierva
Vintage: 2015
Sub-region: Reserva
Region: Rioja
Country: Spain
Award: Silver
Score: 91
Colour: Red
Style: Still - Dry (below 5 g/L residual sugar)
Bottle size: 75cl
Closure: Natural Cork
Grape composition: 100% Tempranillo
Tasting notes: Balsamic, caramel, mocha and burnt orange characters. Full bodied and concentrated with firm tannins, high acidity and a lovely texture.

BODEGAS VALDELACIERVA Rioja Reserva 2015
Score: 89
Region: Spain / Rioja
Issue: Web Only - 2019
This generous red is plush yet lively, with cherry and raspberry flavors accented by forest floor, licorice and smoky notes. Bright acidity and light tannins keep this focused. Drink now through 2023. — TM