VINOS VALTUILLE D.O. BIERZO

Vinos Valtuille

A little bit about Bierzo D.O.

The wine region of Bierzo (or El Bierzo) is a small, rural and remote ancient region in the north-western corner of Castilla y León, touching the eastern border of Galicia. Up until recently, it remained unknown to the international wine markets. However, thanks to the wave of investment and innovation, the wine region of Bierzo now counts as one of the country’s rising stars, on a par with other wine hotspots, such as Toro.

The tortuous terrain and being surrounded by mountains makes El Bierzo to enjoy a very peculiar microclimate, temperate and sub-humid it is determined by the association of the Atlantic and Mediterranean influence with a nicer temperature than the border areas, without extreme peaks or late frost. The average temperature is around 12.4 ° C, and in summer it is around 22 ° C. This makes the harvest to start earlier than other closer areas and red wines are softer and velvety, with a fine teardrop.

Mencía is the region’s primary grape and undisputed star, covering nearly two-thirds of the vineyards. This red grape variety is grown almost exclusively in Bierzo. Mencía ripens early, by mid-September, and is well suited to the maritime climate of Bierzo where autumn rains are quite common. Other grape varieties planted in Bierzo include the red Garnacha Tintorera, and the aromatic whites Godello, Doña Blanca and Malvasía.

Mencía has come into spotlight as a quality, potential-laden grape variety. When properly made, it offers fascinating wines across a contrasting spectrum of styles. On the one end are fruity and forward wines with supple tannins and succulent fruit. On the other end are more concentrated, powerful styles with an exotic earthiness, smooth tannins and an enviable reflection of the minerally-rich Bierzo terroir.

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Vinos Valtuille

Mencía is capable of making excellent wine on its own, with no need to sacrifice its unique character in blends.

The region received its DO (Denominación Origen) from the Spanish wine authorities only in 1989. Today it is home to approximately 60 wineries and over 4,000 growers, which means that Bierzo remains a highly fragmented wine region where the average holding is miniscule

Wine Types

White wines: Wines from the same year, made from the Doña Blanca, Godello and Palomino varieties. Musts are selected during pressing and sparkling wines made from the Doña Blanca variety. Acquired alcohol content between 10 and 13%.

Rosé wines: Made with red grapes (50% Mencía), or from mixtures of red and white grapes. Alcohol content of between 11% and 14%. Wide range of colours is a feature of rosés, from “onion skin” pink to shades of orange.

Jóvenes (Unoaked wines): From the same year. Red wines are made with at least 70% Mencía grapes, with alcohol contents of between 11% and 14%. Young wines have specific appellation controlled analysis criteria which are respected: maximum real volatile acidity, maximum total free sulphur, etc…

Crianza: Wines which must have spent two years at the producer’s before being released onto the market. Out of these two years, 6 months will be spent in an oak barrel with a capacity of less than 1000 litres. Mencía is suitable for such wines, acquiring maximum quality after between 3 and 5 years.

Reserva: Wines which must remain in an oak barrel for a minimum of 12 months and in the bottle for 24 months. A total of 3 years. White wines and rosés: must spend at least 6 months in an oak barrel and 18 months months in the bottle. A total of 2 years.

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Vinos Valtuille

VINOS VALTUILLE

Address: C/ La Fragua s/n 24530 Valtuille de Abajo León - Spain General Manager Marcos Garcia Winemaker Marcos Garcia Winemaking Advisor Raúl Pérez Export Manager Cecilia Puebla

A little bit about the winery

Vinos Valtuille is a small family winery and Marcos García Alba one of the growers and winemakers of latest generation from El Bierzo, who took the challenge in early 2000, of making quality wine, making a big investment in facilities and technical resources.

Meticulous self-taught person, he takes care of the vineyard as always has been done in Valtuille de Abajo, where he has its centenary vines. The 11 hectares planted by his grand father are enough for his aspirations. He has several plots spread out Valtuille de Abajo. He makes wines only from his own grapes and he defends the idea of small winery as a means of product quality.

Marcos is in charge of the vines and the winemaking but in the winemaking he is advised by his friend the famous winemaker Raúl Perez. They have been neighbours all their lives in Valtuille de Abajo where they have grown up together.

His youngest vines are 50 years old and he currently makes about 60.000 litters of red wine with appellation of origin Bierzo. His brand is Pago de Valdoneje and he makes 40.000 bottles per year of his unoaked wine and the years that he considers the grapes are wonderful, he makes 6000 bottles of an special wine named PV Viñas Viejas.

He exports his wines to different countries all around the world.

Its rates

Wine Vintage Rate Pago de Valdoneje joven 2004 90 Pago de Valdoneje joven 2007 89 Pago de Valdoneje joven 2008 90 Pago de Valdoneje joven 2009 91 Pago de Valdoneje joven 2010 91 Pago de Valdoneje viñas viejas 2006 91

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Vinos Valtuille

PAGO DE VALDONEJE JOVEN

PAGO DE VA LDONEJE 2010 Source: Wine Advocate #195 Jun-11 Reviewer: Jay Miller Rating: 91 Maturity, Drink: 2011 - 2016 The 2010 Pago de Valdoneje is a bit more expressive aromatically with a similar flavor profile. It, too, is meant for drinking over the next 4-5 years. The Valtuille wines (all 100% Mencia) are made by Raul Perez.

Wine Name: Pago de Valdoneje Vintage: 2012 Winery: Vinos Valtuille Varietal composition: 100% Mencia Appellation: D.O. Bierzo Situated in the north-west of the province of León, with 2954,28 km 2, El Bierzo covers 18% of the province. Geographically, it borders the provinces of Orense, Lugo and Oviedo. It is an area of transition between Galicia, León and Asturias. Bierzo is a collection of little valleys in a mountainous area a wide flat depression the Bierzo hollow, which dictate crop types. The tortuous terrain and being surrounded by mountains makes El Bierzo to enjoy a very peculiar microclimate Winemaker: Marcos García Advisor: Raúl Perez Winemaking details: The Mencía grapes come from 8 hectares of estate vineyards located in Valtuille de Abajo. The vines are anywhere from 50 to 100 years old providing rich dark grapes that are full-bodied and robust. Harvest is made by hand and 20 kg plastic crates are used to transport them to the winery. Grapes are sorted in the sorting table and then the stainless-still vats are filled up with them by gravity. Alcoholic fermentation takes place at maximum controlled temperatures of 24- 25ºC in small 10.000 litre stainless still vats. Once malolactic fermentation is finished wines are stabilized and then bottled. Wines are not clarified neither filtered. Tasting: The 2009 has a ruby red garnet colour with medium intensity in the mid-palate with a slightly vegetal finish. Bright cherry fruit resounds while there are hints of spice and hay in the nose at the beginning. Food match: This wine has a higher acidity, perfect for food paring. Enjoy this before dinner or with a plate of charcuterie, cheese, rice or pasta. Ageing Potential: 5 years maximum

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Vinos Valtuille

PV VIÑAS VIEJAS

www.eroberparker.com Source: Wine Advocate #195 Jun-11 Reviewer: Jay Miller Rating: 89 Maturity, Drink: N/A The 2008 Pago de Valdoneje Vinas Viejas Crianza, sourced from vines over 100 years of age, spent 11 months in French oak. It is a bit reticent in its display of toasty oak notes accompanied by a hint of balsamic. Savory on the palate with good balance and a fruit-filled finish, it can be approached now but will evolve for 2-3 years.

Wine Name: Pago de Valdoneje Vintage: 2009 Winery: Vinos Valtuille Varietal composition: 100% Mencia Ageing: 11 months in French oak barrels. Appellation: D.O. Bierzo Situated in the north-west of the province of León, with 2954,28 km 2, El Bierzo covers 18% of the province. Geographically, it borders the provinces of Orense, Lugo and Oviedo. It is an area of transition between Galicia, León and Asturias. Bierzo is a collection of little valleys in a mountainous area a wide flat depression the Bierzo hollow, which dictate crop types. The tortuous terrain and being surrounded by mountains makes El Bierzo to enjoy a very peculiar microclimate Winemaker: Marcos García Advisor: Raúl Perez Winemaking details: From 100-year old vines, the grapes used to make Pago de Valdoneje Viñas Viejas are carefully selected from the best vines on the property. Harvest is made by hand and 20 kg plastic crates are used to transport them to the winery. Grapes are sorted in the sorting table and then the stainless-still vats are fill up with them by gravity. Malolactic fermentation is made in French oak barrels. It is aged 11 months in French Oak barrels. Very limited production. Tasting: Aromas of blackberry, violet and sweet tar balanced with berry flavours and dark fruit in the finish. Food match: Red and white meat, rice, pasta, foie cheese and chocolate. Ageing Potential: 10 years

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