Apr 09, 2022

$29 vs $1,000? WS 95 Valderiz = Next Pingus?

Dear friends,

Valderiz is currently the most successful modern Spanish wine made under $40.

I was curious to see how this compares to the current Cult Spanish titans:

I blind tasted a client an hour ago, and he guessed this was $80.

Five 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 2022.

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 2039.

I bought all there was left of the vintage, but sadly only 14 cases were left. There's more than 14 of you that would buy a case—so move fast.

Cheers and all my best,

—James

2018 Valderiz Ribera del Duero

95 Points - Wine Spectator:

"This velvety red offers generous layers of cherry reduction, espresso, clove and loamy earth notes that are flanked with licorice, graphite and floral hints. Shows freshness and concentration. Drink now through 2039. 5,000 cases made." — GS (9/30/21)

93 Points - James Suckling:

"Very clean and transparent Duero red with dark-berry, floral and dry-soil aromas that follow through to a medium body, fine tannins and a fresh finish. Nice energy. 95% tinto fino and 5% albillo. From organically grown grapes. Drink now."

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
14 cases left of the vintage

Release Price: ~~$40.00~~ btl

Lowest NorCal: $~~33.00~~ btl

Ours:

$29.97 btl (1-5)

$28.97 btl (6-11)

$27.97 btl (12+)

Order link