Tasting Notes
Laderas de Cabama is 100% Tempranillo, crafted from a single plot of 40-year-old vines in Ollauri. It grows on the classic clay/limestone soil of the Rioja Alta. This single-vineyard bottling used to be made in a similar style to Valenciso’s flagship Reserva, in that it was built to age in barrel and bottle before release. From the 2018 vintage, Valenciso has sought to craft Laderas de Cabama in a younger, more fruit-forward style. The fruit is picked a little earlier and the winemaking employs a portion of whole-berry, semi-carbonic fermentation, bringing a more primary, juicy profile.
No new oak is used. Instead, fermentation occurs in cool concrete, followed by 14 months in used French oak barrels. The resulting wine is spicy and rich, with blackberry and plummy fruit, some spice and tobacco leaf notes from the whole-bunch fermentation. It boasts good depth and a tea-scented, full-bodied finish. Great on its own, this will also suit a wide variety of meat dishes. - Importer Note
Valenciso are producing a refreshing take on the classic wines of Rioja. Situated in the slopes of Rioja Alta on limestone clay soils with organic farming, Valenciso is able to produce wines of remarkable freshness and energy. Most of these wines are produced in concrete tanks to allow the grapes to shine and express their wonderful terroir. Older Caucasian oak is used sparingly to provide structure to the wines rather than to overpower the natural fruit.
Every wine in this collection is fantastic and justifies their place in the lineup. The white wine displays a remarkable complexity and texture that the winemaker Diego told me serves as a much more affordable alternative white Burgundy. As for the reds, lovers of old school Bordeaux and classic Italian reds would love these. - Aaron C
| Product Type | Wine Red Tempranillo |
| Volume | 750ml |
| Country | Spain |
| Region | Rioja |
| Winemaking Practices | Conventional |
| Vineyard Practices | Conventional |