MundoVino Portfolio Book

Vinos Valtuille DO Bierzo (Castilla y León), Spain

Vinos Valtuille is a small boutique winery owned by the García Alba family. It is located in the small village of Valtuille de Abajo, burrowed at the foot of an old Roman settlement in the province of Leon, in northern Spain. The land is dominated by nearly thirty acres of old, beautiful vineyards that extend from the village to the heart of the historic Camino de Santiago pilgrimage route. The reigning variety here is Mencia, planted in small plots on clay slopes, allowing for optimal ripening. However, the beauty of this unique landscape lies not only in the countryside but in the character of its people. Vinos Valtuille was founded in 1999, but the vine-growing and winemaking traditions of its ancestors date back to 1910. Today, the winemaking duties are in the self-taught hands of Marco García Alba, one of Bierzo’s current crop of rising-star winemakers and growers. In early 2000, the family embarked on the challenge of producing high-quality wines and elevating the image of their region. They made numerous investments to update the facilities and successfully obtained the technical resources to achieve this dream. The attention to detail and the meticulous manner in which he cares for the vineyards ensures that each harvest yields rich fruit. The estate’s philosophy is clear, placing care for the land at the very top of the ladder, guaranteeing quality from vine to bottle. This idea is an homage to founder Dimas Garcia’s roots—especially his grandfather, Antonio. Pago de Valdoneje Joven The grapes for the Pago de Valdoneje Joven are manually harvested from the clay and sandy soils of the estate’s Mencia vines that reach over eighty-five years of age. Fermentation and aging occur in stainless steel tanks to preserve the fruit-driven characteristics of the wine. An intense ruby red in color with violet reflections, the Joven shows beautifully, with a fresh nose of wild berries, mint, and earthy elements imparted by the Bierzo soils. Firmly structured on the palate, this wine is supported by fine tannins and remarkable balance. 2015 : 91 WA | 2013 : 90 WA Pago de Valdoneje Roble The Pago de Valdoneje Roble is sourced from vineyards over eighty-five years of age that are rich in clay and sand. The grapes are manually harvested and pass through a strict bunch selection to ensure astounding quality. Fermented in stainless steel and aged for four to six months in French oak, the Roble has a smoke-driven nose, displaying aromas of red fruits and black pepper. On the palate, this wine has a rich body with nicely integrated tannins and lively acidity towards the lasting finish. 2014 : 89 WA Pago de Valdoneje Vinas Viejas The grapes for Pago de Valdoneje Vinas Viejas are manually harvested from the estate’s original vineyard plot that dates back to 1910; the vines here are more than a century old. After an intense sorting, only the best bunches are fermented in stainless steel tanks followed by refinement in new French oak barrels for eleven months. Unfiltered and unfined, this wine is intense cherry red and incredibly aromatic, exhibiting aromas of blackberry and violet with subtle nuances of sweet tar imparted by the age of the vine and the clay and sandy soils of the area. Perfectly balanced with silky fine tannins, the Vinas Viejas has incredible depth and a uniquely persistent finish. 2014 : 91 WA | 2013 : 91 WE, 90 WS | 2006 : 91 WA

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WINES OF SPAIN