2016 Altos de Valdoso Reserva Ribera del Duero Spain 750 ml

Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate thinks that 2016 is one of the two greatest vintages ever in Ribera del Duero, and the ‘16 Altos de Valdoso Reserva displays the unique combination of density and vibrancy that makes the year special. Now that it’s had a few extra years in the cellar, it’s drinking beautifully.

The Tempranillo in Altos de Valdoso grows at nearly 3,000 feet above sea level in Spain’s arid interior. That cool niche within a generally warm region is the same killer context that drives top quality in places like Napa’s Howell Mountain and Bolgheri in Tuscany. And those are precisely the kind of grape-growing edens that come to mind when we talk about this high river valley east of Aranda de Duero. 

The 2016 vintage in Ribera del Duero emerged as nothing short of magnificent—a year when everything aligned perfectly in this rugged Spanish landscape. Following restorative winter rains, vines thrived under the dramatic diurnal shifts that define the region's terroir: sun-drenched days giving way to cool nights. This rhythm allowed Altos de Valdoso’s Tempranillo to develop profound complexity while retaining vibrant acidity. When harvest arrived, winemakers across the region knew something special was unfolding in their cellars. 

With powerful aromas of black plums, blackberries, and dark cherries—all layered with leather, cedar, and spice—and a palate that’s as bold and richly textured as the nose, this wine has all the hallmarks of serious prestige. The grapes were hand-picked and -sorted from vines that average more than 35 years of age. The wine spent 20 months in barrel and nearly seven years in the bottle at the winery—and now it’s ready to please.