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Conde de Valdemar Rioja Crianza 2003

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Conde de Valdemar Rioja Crianza (2003)

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3.5 Star Rating

Starting at: $12.99 USD
7 Reviews
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Winery:
Bodegas Valdemar
Varietal:
Tempranillo
Region:
Spain > Rioja
Type:
Red Wine
Drink Dates:
Drink Now
UPC:
 

User Tags:  oak - heavy, fruit, smooth, bramble fruits, crianza, oak, stone fruits, resinous, berry, balance 


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What to Expect

The Rioja region of Spain produces one of the world's finest, and most long lived wines: Rioja. Rioja's renaissance, in the latter half of the 19th century, was a direct result of the phyloxera bug that decimated vineyards around the globe. While English merchants came to Rioja to replace their French imports, the wines here actually have much more in common with Chianti. Both wines are blend relying heavily on one grape, in this case Tempranillo. Like Chianti's Sangiovese, Tempranillo usually produces a relatively high acid wine of medium to medium-full body. Tempranillo tends to produce wines with a dusty, leathery edge to its raspberry and blackberry fruit tones. With additions of Graciano, Mazuela and Grancha, the wines of Rioja can take on additional layers of flavor and aroma, but the tradition of extended oak aging for Rioja's great wines contributes to an even more obvious imprint. While the Spaniards have traditionally been fans of the strong vanilla and coconut components that American oak barrels have contributed to Rioja, more and more producers have turned to French oak favoring its more subtle spice tones. Rioja continues to undergo extended aging in barrel with Reserva and Gran Reserva bottlings, representing a producer's highest achievement, spending a minimum of 3 of 5 years respectively in the producer's cellar.

Winemakers Notes

Alcohol Percentage: 13.5 %

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Reviews

Source: Shop Wine
Direct


Wine Tasting NotesIntense cherry color with purple tones. Clean, brilliant with a deep, rich color. Powerful aromas of red berry fruit with rich vanilla nuances and smokiness. Well-rounded and silky in mouth with good backbone. Red berry fruit and vanilla touches come out in the finish. Roasted red meat, strong dry cheese and/or cold meats.


January 2009

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Snooth User: kjones4223
kjones4223
6

Delicious. Smooth, drinkable, lots of flavors, but nothing overwhelming.


November 2007

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Source: Wine.com


85% Tempranillo and 15% Mazuelo from the vineyards of Las Canteras & San Quinín (Alavesa) and La Gargantilla (Baja). Aged 14 months in French and American oak. This Crianza is ruby red in color with ripe fruit aromas of plum and cherry. In the mouth, it has fresh raspberry integrated with spicy oak and vanilla flavors. A great match for roasted chicken, grilled meats and various stews. Winner of the Wine Spectator Critics Choice Award three consecutive years.


 

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Snooth User: mark
mark
Founding Member Hand of Snooth Voice of Snooth
2,592

Plump, juicy aromas of fruit. Well balanced and mild as a Tempranillo should be. The oak shows more over time but at first it was understated. Tastes like a lightly tart blackberry jam. Short mellow finish.


July 2007

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Snooth User: william344
william344
63

Just so-so,.... but a good buy if you can find it for $8-10.


July 2008

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Astor Wines &
Spirits

One of Spain's most modern wineries, Valdemar is noted for their silky-smooth Riojas that balance ripe Tempranillo fruit with nicely toasty oak. Their Crianza is the pinnacle of their house style.


 

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