Bodegas Viña Mayor

Bodegas Viña Mayor

This winery is in the so called “Golden Mile”, the most prestigious area of the Ribera del Duero region.

The winery has a great respect for the region and is a member of WfCP (Wineries for Climate Protection certification). WfCP is a certification scheme developed by the Spanish Wine Federation (Federación Española del Vino, or FEV) that defines the criteria that an environmentally sustainable winery should meet. Applus+ Certification, as an approved body, can grant this certification to the wineries that meet these criteria.

When we arrived at the winery the receptionist allowed us in but requested that we abide by the company’s COVID requirements and wear our masks. The winery was not yet reopened for visitors. We were led to a conference room that had been preset for our wine tasting.

Almudena Alberca, technical director, head winemaker, and Spain’s first female Master of Wine joined us to lead the tasting. We were respectful of the fact that this was harvest, the absolute busiest time of the year for all winemakers.

Feature : Ribera del Duero

WOMEN IN WINE: Almudena Alberca, MW

In 2018, Almudena became the first woman in Spain to achieve the Master of Wine title.

She achieved this great honor while working long hours as the head winemaker for the Bodegas Palacio 1894 Group, parent company of Viña Mayor winery. Her official title is the technical director of Entrecanales Domecq e Hijos.

Wines Tasted:

Bodegas Viña Mayor Roble 2020 **** $7

100% Tempranillo (Tinto Fino). Aged for 3 months in French and American Oak barrels. Dark ruby color. Aromas of blueberry and plums. Flavors of tart dark fruit. Seven hundred thousand bottles were produced.

Bodegas Viña Mayor Crianza 2019 ****1/2 $15

100% Tempranillo. Fermented in stainless steel tanks. Aged in large 300-liter French oak barrels for 12 months. Aged for 6 months in the bottle. Deep ruby color. Aromas of red and black fruit. Flavorful, fleshy with salt and oak. Two hundred fifty thousand bottles were produced.

Bodegas Viña Mayor Secreto 2018 ***** $17

100% Tempranillo, sourced from a 60-year vineyard at 900 meters/ 2,952 feet above sea level. Aged in French oak barrels for 12 months. Aged for 10 additional months in the bottle. Garnet color. Aromas of vibrant perfumed fruit with violets. Flavors of juicy, fleshy blueberry, plums with minerals. Forty thousand bottles were produced.

Bodegas Viña Mayor Secreto 2 RS 2016 ****1/2 $60

100% Tempranillo sourced from an 80-year-old vineyard in sandy limestone soil, with an altitude of 950 meters/ 3,116 feet. Aged in large 500-liter French oak barrels for 12 months. Aged another 18 months in the bottle. Light ruby color. Floral aromas with hints of forest floor and violets. Flavors of silky, elegant blueberry and violets. Five thousand bottles were produced..

Bodegas Viña Mayor Secreto 3 RB 2016 ****1/2 $35

100% Tempranillo sourced from an 80-year-old vineyard in sandy clay soil, with an altitude of 900 meters/ 2,952 feet. Aged in large 350 and 500-liter used French oak barrels for 12 months. Intense ruby color. Aromas of bright red and black fruit with hints of licorice. Flavors of fleshy, chewy red fruit. Excellent tannins and balance. Five thousand, three hundred bottles were produced.

Bodegas Viña Mayor Gran Reserva 2016 ***** $35

100% Tempranillo from 65-year-old, low-yield bush vines in Burgos. Aged for 24 months in high quality, French oak barrels from Bordeaux. Aged for another 36 months in bottles. Ruby color. Aromas of fresh fruit and cherries. Flavors of ripe red fruit with a long complex finish. One hundred and fifty thousand bottles were produced.

Bodegas Viña Mayor Reserva 2014 ****1/2 $19

100% Tempranillo sourced from 60-year-old vines with an altitude of 900 meters/ 2,952 feet. Aged in French and American oak for 15 months. Aged an additional 20 months in bottles. Ruby red color. Complex aromas of blueberry, and plum with white flowers. Silky, light flavors of watery fruit. This is a well-rounded wine. Four thousand bottles were produced.

Almudena is a delightful wine professional who is passionate about her wines. When we met, she told me that her brand was in the process of changing importers in the US. Her wines have a distinct style and are surprisingly super value-priced.

Bodegas Viña Mayor

https://www.vina-mayor.es/