Bodegas Valdelana Barón Ladrón de Guevara Crianza

Bodegas Valdelana's Barón Ladrón de Guevara Crianza is a blend of 95% Tempranillo and 5% Mazuelo, the region's name for Carignan. It is a beautiful, bright ruby-red in the glass with wonderful aromas of red cherry, mulberry, graphite and light vanilla. It spends 12 months in cask (50% French oak and 50% American oak), which provides this medium-bodied wine with a very soft and smooth mouthfeel. It dazzles the palate with fantastic ripe raspberry and red licorice flavors balanced with the unique minerality of their terroir in Rioja. There is a light note of spice and oak on the sumptuous finish. Pair this wine with Manchego cheese, chicken and chorizo with rice or lamb prepared any way you desire.

Bodegas Valdelana is located in Elciego, known as the noble birthplace of Rioja Álavesa wines. The 150-hectare estate sits between the Ebro River and the Sierra de Cantabria mountains. This location lends itself to such delicious fruit because their chalk and clay-laden vineyards face southeast, toward the cooling Ebro, allowing for optimum sun exposure and ensures perfect ripening of the grapes, while the mountains offer protection from the gusting northerly winds. The Valdelana family has been tending these vines since the 16th century, with the current estate being founded in the late 19th century. Juan Jesús, fifteenth-generation owner and current winemaker, is one of the most innovative vignerons in all of Spain. He has worked tirelessly to transform the property, not only into a first-class Rioja estate, but also a center of learning. Juan Jesús established a museum showcasing the history of winemaking, which includes a journey through all the senses involved in wine tasting. His next project entails offering grape tastings on most international and domestic varietals. Juan's plan is to explain the characteristics of each grape and how they will translate into wine. Today, Juan Jesús' son, Juan Valdelana — the 16th generation of his esteemed winemaking family — has almost completely taken over the winemaking at Bodegas Valdelana from his father, Juan Jesús. At only 30, Juan has been hailed as one of the most promising new winemakers in all of Rioja. Remarkably, Juan began collecting uniquely special vineyard when he was just 18 years old and currently, Bodegas Valdelana boasts the most extensive Viñedos Singulares program in all of Rioja!

(Wine, .Red, .Spain, .Rioja, .Blend)