Bodegas Valderiz, Ribera del Duero (Castilla y León, Spain) 2018

 As the name would suggest, this bottling is the cornerstone of this bodega’s production, and it proves very consistently strong across vintages, no doubt in part because it is sourced from a single, old-vine plot.  This current release upholds a long string of successes regardless of whether the wine is judged on quality or value.  It is concentrated and flavorful but without any heaviness, and is marked by a beam of pure dark cherry fruit that rides right through the wine’s oak to shine well into the long, fresh finish.  Classy and already very well integrated.