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Barón Ladrón de Guevara
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Location: Elciego, Rioja, Spain
Website address: http://www.bodegasvaldelana.com/
Basque Rioja is the high ground of La Rioja. Vineyards sweep down from the slopes of the Sierra Cantabria in the north towards the Ebro river in the south. The
local expression is that the vineyards are “cara-al-sol†or “sun-facingâ€. Poor chalky clay soils imply low yields
and high quality from Tempranillo and Graciano. There is much more to know about the region and also a confusing plethora of Rioja available in the UK, but
we’ve backed the family owned Bodegas Valdelana for the “real†feel the wines have, as we believe their Tempranillo and
Graciano grown at higher altitude provides delicate ripe fruit and a backbone of acidity which keep the styles fresh and appealing.
Juan Jesus Valdelana is the current boss of this small family Bodega originally established in the XVI Century. Housed in a traditional building in the centre of Elciego they
cultivate grapes from their own vineyards and from leased ones. JJ is still in charge of overseeing the winemaking.Their vineyards consist of around 30ha of Tempranillo,
Graciano & Viura in 3 diffent locations close to Eltziego (Basque spelling). The Baron Ladrón de Guevara is the main label for their bottlings of which we
have listed three. The Jovén is graceful in style with good fruit characters and excellent balance and length.
The Blanco, made from Malvasia and Viura, and drinks fresh and clean. The Autor is a vineyard selection from the older vines and combines good ripe fruit intensity with some
toasty oak and gives complex persistent flavours on the palate. Â Â
For older vintage information please contact us or consult the producer’s website
Ladrón de Guevara Jovén
Current Vintage: 2011
Juan Valdelana has something of a reputation for the best Sin Crianza in the region. Fresh, vibrant jam-pot fruit character, but not at all jammy! Completely Alavesa,
but with structure but not aggression.
Ladrón de Guevara Blanco
Current Vintage: 2011
Unwooded Viura should be so much duller than this. But Juan Valdelana has fahioned a delightful dry white, with a touch of flower blossom on the nose, and gently mineral
palate. Always well rated by Guia Penin.
Ladrón de Guevara Autor
Current Vintage: 2011
Taken from some of the estate's oldest vines, this Autor is vibrant, fresh and thoroughly moreish.
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