2017 Bodegas Valdemar Conde Valdemar Reserva, Rioja

Ripe dark cherries and berries with touches of black walnuts and mocha. Juicy and medium-bodied on the palate, with firm tannins and a long, succulent finish. Quite well balanced. Drink now or keep holding.

91 points jamessuckling.com

For 124 years, five generations of the Bujanda family have produced some of the finest wines from Rioja. It was Joaquín Martínez Bujanda who started the company with 10 hectares of vines in Rioja Alavasa and over the years the estate has expanded to include vineyards across the region. 

Chosen as one of the 5 Best Wine Cellars of Rioja by Wine and Spirits magazine their Conde de Valdemar range of wines includes the crisp, energetic Viura white and a selection of beautifully made Tempranillo wines from Crianza through Reserva and the top-of-the-range Gran Reserva, a blend of Tempranillo, Mazuelo and Graciano from the family vineyards in Oyón, Logrõno and Ausejo.

The Bodegas Valdemar Conde Valdemar Reserva from Rioja is a stellar example of a wine that combines tradition, quality, and exceptional value—all while delivering a sense of joy in every sip. Crafted with care and a touch of Rioja magic, this wine is as serious about flavor as it is about making wine fun and approachable.

Winemaker Ana Martínez Bujanda, a fifth-generation member of the family that founded Bodegas Valdemar in 1889, brings a modern perspective to the estate's deeply rooted traditions. Ana’s philosophy? Make wines that people love to drink—without making them think too hard about it. That ethos shines through in this delightful Reserva.

On the nose, the wine offers a warm embrace of ripe blackberries, red currants, and dark plums, mingling with inviting aromas of vanilla, clove, and a hint of cocoa. There's also a playful whisper of toasted oak, just enough to make you want to lean in closer.

The palate is smooth and medium to full-bodied, with silky tannins and a backbone of lively acidity. Flavors of juicy black fruits are layered with notes of tobacco, leather, and a touch of cinnamon spice, creating a harmonious balance that feels both polished and approachable. The finish is long and satisfying, like the punchline to a great joke you weren’t expecting.

The Bodegas Valdemar team sources the grapes for this Reserva from some of the best vineyard sites in Rioja, blending Tempranillo and Graciano with the kind of skill that makes it look easy. Aged in American and French oak barrels for 24 months, followed by additional bottle aging, this wine is crafted to overdeliver on quality and charm.

Perfect for pairing with tapas, grilled meats, or a Netflix binge with a charcuterie board, Conde Valdemar Reserva brings joy to the table without breaking the bank. Its cheerful balance of tradition and modernity makes it ideal for both seasoned wine enthusiasts and newcomers alike.