Bodegas Viyuela Crianza Tempranillo 2018
Bodegas Viyuela Crianza Tempranillo 2018
Ribera del Duero, Spain
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Tasting Notes
This is a solid pick for red wine lovers who want something smooth, flavorful, and just a little bit bold. The Bodegas Viyuela Crianza Tempranillo 2018 comes from Spain’s Ribera del Duero region and offers up a great mix of fruit and oak.
On the nose, you’ll notice ripe dark berries like blackberry and cherry, along with a hint of vanilla and a little toastiness from oak aging. There’s also a touch of coffee and spice in the background that adds some nice depth without being too heavy.
Take a sip, and it’s rich and balanced. You get juicy berry flavors up front, followed by warm notes of oak, spice, and just a bit of earthiness. The tannins are smooth, and the finish is long and easy—perfect for sipping with food or on its own.
This wine pairs really well with grilled meats, roasted veggies, or a simple cheese and charcuterie board. It’s a great option if you’re looking to try something new from Spain or want a red that delivers flavor without being too intense. -
Story
Bodegas Viyuela is a family-owned winery rooted in Boada de Roa, Ribera del Duero, with winemaking traditions dating back to the early 19th century. Though the family has long cultivated vineyards here, the modern winery was founded in 2003 with a clear vision: to create high-quality wines that honor their heritage while embracing sustainable practices.
The winery focuses exclusively on Tempranillo (locally called Tinta Fina), grown in carefully tended old vines averaging 30 to 50 years. Bodegas Viyuela takes pride in environmentally friendly viticulture, using sustainable methods that protect the local landscape and biodiversity. While they maintain strong respect for their social and ecological responsibilities, the winery’s commitment shines through in their balance of tradition and modernity.
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Somm Notes
Bodegas Viyuela carefully selects old-vine Tempranillo clones that thrive in the unique terroir of Boada de Roa. These older clones produce lower yields but more concentrated fruit, resulting in a Crianza with vibrant cherry and plum flavors, balanced acidity, and smooth, refined tannins. This thoughtful clone selection helps the wine showcase both the fruit-forward freshness and the structure needed for gentle aging, making it approachable now but also enjoyable over the next several years.
The 2018 vintage in Ribera del Duero was excellent—offering ideal growing conditions with warm days, cool nights, and just enough rain. This balance allowed the grapes to ripen evenly and develop complex flavors without losing freshness. The result is a Crianza that’s rich yet balanced, showing ripe red fruit and subtle spice with a smooth finish.
For food, this Crianza is a natural match with classic Spanish dishes like roasted lamb, grilled chorizo, or manchego cheese. It also pairs beautifully with hearty pastas, mushroom risottos, or even a flavorful burger—perfect for those who want a wine that’s versatile and easy to enjoy with good company. -
Region
Coming SoonBoada de Roa is a small village located in the southern part of the Ribera del Duero wine region, known for its high elevation—around 800 meters above sea level—and distinctive terroir. Compared to other parts of Ribera del Duero, Boada de Roa experiences cooler temperatures and a larger temperature swing between day and night. This diurnal variation is crucial for slowing down grape ripening, which helps the grapes retain bright acidity and develop complex flavors.
The soils here are a mix of clay, limestone, and sandy gravel, providing excellent drainage and contributing to the structure and minerality found in the wines. These conditions make Boada de Roa a particularly favorable site for growing Tempranillo, known locally as Tinta Fina, allowing grapes to mature slowly and evenly.
What sets Bodegas Viyuela apart within this special microclimate is their dedication to old-vine Tempranillo, with some vines reaching 50 years of age. Older vines tend to produce lower yields of more concentrated and expressive fruit. Combined with careful, sustainable farming practices and meticulous winemaking, their wines showcase a refined balance of ripe fruit, fresh acidity, and elegant tannins.
In short, the combination of Boada de Roa’s unique climate and soils, plus Bodegas Viyuela’s commitment to quality and tradition, creates Tempranillo wines that are both approachable and layered with complexity — a true expression of their place within Ribera del Duero.