The Martinez Bujanda family founded their eponymous winery in 1889. With approximately 1,000 acres under vine, the family is one of the largest growers in Rioja and as such, exercises complete control over the entire wine value chain – from vineyard to bottle. Their viticulture and winemaking efforts continue to be recognized by the press; Bodegas Valdemar was awarded the Wine Spectator's Critics Choice Award three times and was also selected as a Top 5 Rioja Producer of the Past Quarter Century by Wine & Spirits Magazine. More recently, the family has successfully championed the revival of ancient regional varietals like Mazuelo, Malvasia, Maturana and Graciano. After more than 100 years, the family continues to follow the principals laid out by their forebearer, Jesus Martínez Bujanda. "A great wine is the result of an endless journey filled with fundamental processes. This is what really makes a winery great and what everyone here at Bodegas Valdemar tries to accomplish every day."

Rating

Wine Spectator 87 points (Aug 31 2010) Chocolate and toast notes frame ripe black cherry and blackberry in this polished red. A modern style, but tender, not overextracted or heavy. Drink now through 2013. 10,000 cases made. –TM