The 2005 Reserva displays aromas and flavors of smoke, mineral, leather, spice box, and blackberry. This leads to a ripe, sweetly fruited, medium-bodied wine that can be enjoyed now through 2020. Bodegas Valdemar produces a wide range of wines from both estate and purchased fruit, most of it at very prices.Importer: CIV (USA), Sacramento, CA; Tel. (800) 669-1972

The 2004 Reserva is a blend of 90% Tempranillo and 10% Mazuelo aged for 18 months in French and American oak. Dark crimson-colored, it reveals an alluring nose of cedar, spice box, tobacco, black cherry, and blackberry. On the palate it displays considerable finesse along with plenty of ripe, spicy red and black fruit, a silky texture, and excellent balance. This lengthy effort will continue to evolve for another 2-3 years and offer prime drinking from 2011 to 2020.The original Bodegas Valdemar was founded in Rioja in 1889 with construction of the current winery dating to 1981. The winery has been one of the pioneers in the push to modernize the style of Rioja wines with the goal to make a fresh, fruit-driven expression. The winery owns a total of 1100 acres divided among the three sub-regions of Rioja.Importer: CIV-USA, Sacramento, CA; tel. (800) 669-1972