The Abrí Las Alas 2019 by Valdemonjas is the flagship cuvée from Ribera del Duero: 100% Tempranillo from vines over 80 years old in the single vineyard El Nogal de la Valera in La Horra, vinified under the guidance of Luca d'Attoma and aged for 19 months in French oak – only 1,100 bottles.
Captivatingly complex: coconut, vanilla and black pepper meet cinnamon plums, cloves, sweet cherry, blackberry and cassis; violet, sage, rosemary, mint and pine forest aromas with finely balanced toasty notes.
Palate
Silky and fleshy on the palate, fine-grained tannins, juicy acidity and pronounced minerality interplaying; berry-driven, with subtle bitter compounds and ethereal notes that encourage drinking.
Character
Sublime, majestic and generous – a powerful yet fresh and vibrant Ribera del Duero that consciously stands apart from the region’s opulent style.
Pairing
Flank steak with green beans and Jerusalem artichokes, braised lamb loin with an oriental jus and sweet potatoes, or salt-crust celeriac with basil pesto.
Notes
Sourced from the premier vineyard El Nogal de la Valera at 800 metres altitude, with vines over 80 years old; Master of Wine Pedro Ballesteros ranks it among the ten finest wines of Ribera del Duero. Certified organic, limited to just 1,100 bottles.
Tasting note
Colour & appearance
Deep black-red with violet reflections – dense, youthful, almost impenetrable in the glass.
Nose
An enchanting cascade of aromas: desiccated coconut, vanilla and black pepper set the tone, before cinnamon plums and cloves impart a wintry warmth. Behind this, an expansive fruit character unfolds – sweet cherries, blackberry, cassis and elderberry. Violets and lilac hover above, whilst sage, rosemary and a touch of mint weave in Mediterranean freshness. The roasted notes are masterfully balanced – present, yet never dominant.
Palate
It flows across the palate like silk – sublime, generous, majestic. A fine-grained tannin coats the mouth, the texture feeling fleshy and almost sanguine. Minerality and tightly integrated acidity engage in a fascinating interplay, rendering the wine enormously juicy despite its 15 per cent alcohol by volume. Each sip is akin to biting into a handful of fresh berries.
Finish
Long, cool and precise – slight bitterness and ethereal notes of mint and eucalyptus keep the aftertaste vibrant and invigorating.
Terroir & origin
The grapes hail from the single vineyard site El Nogal de la Valera near La Horra at an altitude of 800 metres. Vines aged over 80 years are rooted in sand and clay; yields are minimal, concentration extreme. The high altitude ensures cool nights and preserves acidity – the reason why this wine possesses such tension despite all its density.
Grape variety & vinification
100% Tempranillo (Tinta Fina), matured for 19 months in small French oak barrels. Luca d’Attoma, who has advised the estate since 2011, opts for less extraction and measured use of wood – the result is a wine of rare balance between power and coolness.
Food recommendations
Flank steak with green beans and Jerusalem artichokes, braised lamb loin with oriental jus and sweet potatoes or salt-baked celeriac with basil pesto – dishes with depth and spice that can stand up to the silky structure of this Tempranillo.
Special features
Only 1,100 bottles were produced – each one individually numbered. Master of Wine Pedro Ballesteros ranks Abrí Las Alas among the ten finest wines of Ribera del Duero. The name – “I opened my wings” – captures its character precisely: a wine that unfurls in the glass, demonstrating what old Tempranillo vines at 800 metres can achieve.
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