Conde Valdemar Reserva 2018
93
Tim Atkin
Five generations making Rioja great
Médaille d'Argent
Decanter World Wine Awards
Conde Valdemar is one of the most famous and well-established labels in Rioja, a modern classic created by one of the leading winemaking families in Spain: the Martínez Bujandas, whose fifth generation is currently at the helm of the winery. This Conde Valdemar Reserva 2018 was grown on their own vineyards in the Rioja Alavesa and Rioja Alta subzones. It’s made chiefly from Tempranillo, enhanced with Graciano, Maturana and Garnacha. A long 19 months in oak, followed by maturation in the bottle, have afforded it finesse, elegance and rich, complex flavours.
Consumption features
Serving temperature
General features
Type of wine
Region
Grape variety
7% Graciano, 5% Garnacha tinta, 5% Maturana Tinta, 83% Tempranillo
Type of barrel
Oak barrels
Type of bottle
Burgundy
Barrel aging time
19 months
Capacity (cl)
75
Alcohol content (% vol.)
14
General Information
Conde Valdemar Reserva 2018 is a modern Rioja classic made from a blend mainly of Tempranillo (83%) enhanced with Graciano, Garnacha and Maturana. A long 19 months in oak, followed by maturation in the bottle, have afforded it finesse, elegance and rich, complex flavours.
En 1985 Jesús Martínez Bujanda, a member of one of the families with the longest history in the sector, embarked on a new stage, determined to turn Bodegas Valdemar into one of the most innovative firms of the day: he launched wines with more intense flavours and greater depth of colour than the classic Riojas, blazing a new, modern trail. Ana and Jesús Martínez Bujanda, the founder’s children, are now in charge of the winery. They’ve inherited the pioneering and non-conformist character of the previous generation and continue to enrich their product range with new wines.
This firm’s wines are grown on the extensive vineyards it owns and are widely distributed. Conde Valdemar is the firm’s top range
Conde Valdemar Reserva 2018 (D.O.Ca. Rioja) is perfect with homemade stews, char-grilled meats, Ibérico pork and roast turkey. It’s also delicious with deli meats, pasta dishes with tomato sauce, grilled vegetables and mushroom risotto.
Creators' opinion
Ruby-red colour, bright and intensely pigmented. Complex aroma, with a blend of notes of toffee, liquorice and black fruit, as well as notes of woodland, herbs, spices and subtle minerally hints. Balanced and vibrant on the palate with a full finish – a reflection of the long ageing period that brings out its elegance and subtlety.
The winery
Founded in 1889, Valdemar is one of the oldest and most important wineries in Spain, a driving force behind the Rioja Alavesa we know today and revolutionary in its concepts. A house currently led by the fifth generation of the Martínez Bujanda family, whose success lies in the perfect combination of historical expertise blended with constant research to achieve the highest quality.
In 1985, Jesús Martínez Bujanda began a new chapter that transformed Valdemar into one of the most innovative wineries of the time: he launched wines onto the market with more intensity and color than the classic Riojas, fully embracing modernity. Additionally, this winery has been a pioneer in the use of temperature control during production and in the fermentation of Viura whites in wood.
Valdemar has developed a wide range of high-quality wines, known for their consistency and great distribution. These wines originate from an extensive estate-owned vineyard: 275 hectares; and are characterized by their long and magnificent aging processes.