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Friday, July 26th, 2024
Dear Artisans,

Valderiz has done it again, for like, the 7th time now? I've lost count. This is the most successful modern Spanish (Tempranillo) wine made under $40.

I was curious to see how this compares to the current Cult Spanish titans:
94 Points - Wine Spectator:
"A harmonious red that marries power with finely detailed grace, offering a dense core of tannins tightly meshed with flavors of ripe black currant, fig cake, wild sage and mocha that slowly unfurl on the palate. Sleek and silky in texture, with a firm, lingering and well-spiced finish. Best from 2024 through 2032. 6,500 cases made." — Alison Napjus (July 2022)

94 Points - James Suckling:
"A tight and full-bodied Ribera del Duero, underscored by the quality and quantity of the tannins. Cocoa powder, stones and blackberries here, with a big mouthful of creamy, satin-like tannins interwoven with the fruit. Long and impressive. From organically grown grapes. Drink or hold."

Like the previous vintage, I blind-tasted a client who immediately thought this was $80+ a bottle.

  • Six consecutive vintages rated 94-96 points by Spectator.

  • Two of them ranked in their #12 and #26 Top 100 wines of year.

  • At this price, no other wine has performed like this.

I can't see why this wouldn't be in the WS Top 10 of 2023.
Crafted from high elevation vineyards in Ribera del Duero, this is 95% Tempranillo with 5% Albillo (a white grape) added to give a signature floral note, complementing the dark fruit aromas perfectly.

Similar to what Viognier does to Syrah in an elegant Cote-Rotie—there's a beautiful elegance, poise and polish to the serious mass of age-worthy black fruit.

To give you a better idea, imagine Pingus or Vega Sicilia Valbuena with a finer Bordeaux-like feel (Saint-Estephe if you want specifics) which can be attributed to two years in mostly (80%) French oak. Let me be clear: this is not a lean wine by any means—but for how towering it is in structure, it's impeccably balanced.

Pro-Tips:

  • Decant for at least 2 hours and enjoy the never-ending waves of cherry reduction, expresso and clove.

  • Day 2 is even better! Or age and drink 2024 through 2040.

Cheers and all my best,
—James

2019 Valderiz Ribera del Duero


94 Points - Wine Spectator:

"A harmonious red that marries power with finely detailed grace, offering a dense core of tannins tightly meshed with flavors of ripe black currant, fig cake, wild sage and mocha that slowly unfurl on the palate. Sleek and silky in texture, with a firm, lingering and well-spiced finish. Best from 2024 through 2032. 6,500 cases made." — Alison Napjus (July 2022)


94 Points - James Suckling:

"A tight and full-bodied Ribera del Duero, underscored by the quality and quantity of the tannins. Cocoa powder, stones and blackberries here, with a big mouthful of creamy, satin-like tannins interwoven with the fruit. Long and impressive. From organically grown grapes. Drink or hold."


  • 95% Tempranillo (Tinto Fino), 5% Albillo
  • 25+ Year-old organically grown vines
  • Aged 24 months in 80% French oak, 20% American oak
  • Organically grown grapes
  • 14.5% ABV
  • 3 cases left of the vintage


Release Price: $40.00

Wine.com: $36.00


Ours: $29.97
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Here are more of our best selling Spanish Stunners—while still available!
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We have 12 bottles left of Pingus' third label at the lowest price in the country: $29.97 per bottle. It's their best vintage to date, too:


96 Points - Vinous:

"...cherry and blackberry, intertwined with violets and dried flowers, resulting in a layered, complex profile. On the palate, it's dry and velvety. Chalky tannins define a compact mouthfeel and long-lasting fruit and floral flavors. The 2021 is a distinctive Ribera del Duero with excellent nuance and agility."
Read on
Read on
 
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