Semele 2021
All the strength of a magnificent Tempranillo from the Ribera del Duero region
The ‘golden mile’ of Ribera del Duero is home to some of the best wines in the country. One of the firms in this area is Bodegas Montebaco, whose wines are based on its own excellent vineyard located at an almost extreme altitude, between the famous towns of Valbuena de Duero and Pesquera de Duero. Semele 2021 (Excellent-rated vintage) is a red wine with all the strength and character of a magnificent Tempranillo. Enjoy it in this special edition for Vinoselección, with a personalised label.
Consumption features
Serving temperature
Consumption time
General features
Type of wine
Region
Grape variety
4% Merlot, 96% Tempranillo
Type of barrel
80% French and 20% American oak barrels
Type of bottle
Truncated cone
Barrel aging time
12 months
Capacity (cl)
75
Total acidity (g/l)
5
Sugar
0.97
Alcohol content (% vol.)
14.5
General Information
Bodegas Montebaco has earned a solid reputation. Its wines are based on its own excellent vineyard on the Monte Alto estate, at an altitude of 850 to 900 m, in the ‘golden mile’ of Ribera del Duero, between the famous towns of Valbuena de Duero and Pesquera de Duero. Semele 2021 is made from these grapes (96% Tempranillo and 4% Merlot), grown in vineyards in which a special effort is made to control vigour and production.
The wine underwent controlled fermentation in stainless steel vats before being transferred to oak without filtration or clarification. Aged for 12 months in French (80%) and American (20%) oak barrels.
The history of Bodegas Montebaco dates back to the mid-1980s when the Valladolid businessman Manuel Esteban decided to invest in the wine-growing potential of the Monte Alto estate, which was previously given over to livestock and agriculture. Following the refurbishment of the existing building to convert it into a winery and the planting of the first 20 hectares of vineyards, Montebaco started out. Today it already has 50 hectares of vineyards surrounding the facilities, in 'château' style.
Since then the wines of Bodegas Montebaco, produced under the guidance of the famous winemaker César Muñoz, have earned a solid reputation for their quality and consistency. These reds are grown under the D.O. Ribera del Duero in the firm’s own vineyard at an almost extreme altitude, benefiting from peculiar geoclimatic characteristics that reinforce its character. Other quality factors are respect for the environment and thorough field work to keep the vigour of the vines in check, enabling Montebaco to achieve low yields of grapes with highly concentrated flavours.
The red Semele 2021 (D.O. Ribera del Duero) is perfect with meats such as roast Ibçerico pork or red peppers stuffed with beef.
Creators' opinion
Cherry-red colour. Aromas of red fruit, plum, fine mineral notes. Round and silky on the palate with sweet and well-polished tannins.
The winery
Between the two most famous municipalities of Ribera del Duero: Valbuena de Duero and Pesquera de Duero (Valladolid), in the so-called “golden mile” of the Ribera vineyard, stands the Monte Alto estate at an altitude of 850-900 m, like an island within the region. An estate that hosts the family winery Montebaco, with 45 hectares of vineyards surrounding the facilities, in the style of a ‘château’.
The history of Bodegas Montebaco began in 1982 when the Valladolid industrialist Manuel Esteban and his wife Mª Ángeles acquired one of the most historic estates in Valladolid: Monte Alto, with the aim of reviving and expanding the viticultural character of the estate, which in recent decades had been dedicated to extensive agriculture and livestock farming. The Esteban family restored the building that in earlier times had housed the dairy farm, converting it into a single-story winery, and in 1987 planted around twenty hectares of the tinto fino (tempranillo) variety. In 1994, they produced the first wine from the estate.
The success of the winery is based on an excellent estate-owned vineyard cultivated at an almost extreme altitude, where the vines benefit from peculiar geoclimatic characteristics. Other quality factors include respect for the environment and meticulous fieldwork to control the vigor of the vines, thereby achieving low yields of highly concentrated grapes. Additionally, the winery renews 33% of its barrels every year. In 2005, the winery expanded its scope to the D.O. Rueda, where it acquired a small verdejo vineyard.
After the passing of winemaker César Múñoz in October 2022, Manuel Esteban Martín, the founders' son, is now responsible for the wine design.