Juegabolos 2018,8612 (Bodegas Valderiz)

Cellar for 20 years. Decant for an hour before serving. Bodegas Valderiz is a winery in the north of Spain, owned and run by the Esteban family. It lies in the heart of one of the country’s most famous red wine appellations - the sun-scorched plateau of Ribera Del Duero. The climate is tough here - long, hot summers are shortly followed aby hard winters, but over a quarter of a century, the Esteban family have managed to make a name for themselves in the region. They are among the forerunners in the Ribera Del Duero’s organic farming movement, using no enzymes or yeasts in their wine-making - unless it comes from the grape itself. Juegabolos (translating to "bowling green") is one of the most remarkable plots of land that Bodegas Valderiz owns. It was planted 25 years ago aby Tomás Esteban and is composed mostly of gravel and clay, giving its wines a rich, complex style. This Juegabolos is packed with warm, ripe fruits. Thick notes of black fruity berries are present on the nose, along with spice and a musky animal scent. You can discover well-integrated oaky notes on the palate, along with full-bodied cherries, blackberries and cassis. This is one for collectors and fans of the Ribera Del Duero or Rioja. Consider pairing it with rich meat dishes, such as the traditional Castille dish, cochinillo asado.