2014 Altos de Valdoso Reserva Ribera del Duero Spain 750 ml

The Altos de Valdoso 2014 library release falls into a rare overlap of wine pleasures—authentically powerful, delightfully food-friendly, for an unbelievable value. Made entirely from the native Tempranillo grape and aged to silky, savory perfection, it’s a food-friendly Reserva of the highest caliber. It earned 94 points from Wine & Spirits—only Vega-Sicilia and a handful of other Ribera del Duero wines have ever scored higher. 

This wine is also rare in the literal sense. They only made a few hundred cases in total, and already released a chunk of the vintage a few years ago. We caught a lucky break by claiming an allocation that was originally earmarked for Asia—and our Master Sommelier Sur Lucero still had to put in ten months of legwork to get it here. 

The Tempranillo in Altos de Valdoso grows at 3,000 feet above sea level in Spain’s arid interior. That cool niche within a generally warm region is the same killer context that drives top quality in places like Napa’s Howell Mountain and Bolgheri in Tuscany. And those are precisely the kind of grape-growing edens that come to mind when we talk about this high river valley east of Aranda de Duero. 

The 2014 Reserva pours a deep ruby with shimmering crimson highlights on the rim. Mountain herbs and dried grass dominate the nose, while polished, fine-grained tannins and a ripe red-berry profile give it a luxurious feel. The earthy undercurrent gives it the kind of table appeal that cries out for coal-bed lamb, grilled pork chops, or even a spit-roasted side of wild boar.