Valenciso Rioja Reserva 10 Años Después 2008

10 Años Después is Valenciso's long-held Tempranillo, bottled a full ten years after the harvest that made it.

Rioja's ageing categories set minimum times in barrel and bottle, but nothing stops a producer keeping a wine far longer, and that is the whole idea here. Valenciso was founded in 1998 by Luis Valentín and Carmen Enciso, both formerly of Bodegas Palacio, and works from Ollauri with old Tempranillo parcels in the north of the Rioja Alta. What sets this cuvée apart is the vessel: rather than spending its whole life in wood, the wine is made and matured largely in cement tanks, which the estate says gives a gentler extraction, holds colour through malolactic and keeps the fruit intact, with barrel time following. It is then held in the cellar until a decade has passed since the vintage. The result is a fresher, finer-boned Rioja than the classical model, and one built for the long haul.

Fully ready and in no hurry. Serve at 16–18°C with roast lamb, jamón ibérico or slow-braised oxtail.

*Every effort is made to ensure the current vintage is accurate; however, variations can occur. If you are after a specific vintage, please contact us prior to ordering.