Bodegas Valduero Tierra Alta en 2 Cotas Reserva 2017 Ribera del Duero 750ml

Bodegas Valduero Tierra Alta en 2 Cotas Reserva — Ribera del Duero 2017

Bodegas Valduero is one of Ribera del Duero’s founding estates — established in 1984 by Gregorio García Álvarez in the small Burgos town of Gumiel del Mercado, making it one of the very first wineries in the appellation. Today, alongside his daughters Yolanda and Carolina, the family cultivates 200 hectares of Tempranillo at the foot of a mountain, aging their wines in an authentic cave over 30 metres deep that houses more than 4,000 oak barrels and a million bottles. The Tierra Alta en 2 Cotas Reserva is their most terroir-driven expression: sourced from 50-year-old bush-trained vines planted at 830 metres altitude on clay-calcareous soils, with production naturally limited to 3,500 kg/ha. Harvested by hand into 14kg boxes, fermented in stainless steel, then aged 30 months in oak barrels of three different origins, followed by 18 months of bottle aging before release. 

Deep ruby in color. The nose is classic and expressive: dark fruit, cedar, warm spice, and a subtle earthiness from the high-altitude clay-calcareous soils. On the palate, it is fine and elegant, with well-balanced fruit and oak, firm but refined tannins, and a long, complex finish that speaks clearly of its terroir. A classic Ribera del Duero of real depth and character.

• Producer: Bodegas Valduero, Gumiel del Mercado, Ribera del Duero, Spain (est. 1984)
• Vintage: 2017
• Appellation: Ribera del Duero DO — Reserva
• Varietal: 100% Tinto Fino (Tempranillo) — 50+ year-old bush vines, 830m altitude
• Soils: Clay-calcareous, Gumiel del Mercado
• Aging: 30 months in oak (3 origins) + 18 months bottle aging
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Dark fruit, cedar, warm spice, earthy depth, refined tannins, long complex finish
• Best Paired With: Roast lamb, suckling pig, beef stews, aged Manchego, hearty game dishes

A founding-estate Ribera del Duero Reserva from 50-year-old vines at an honest price — Valduero Dos Cotas is the benchmark for what high-altitude Tempranillo can be.