A single-vineyard Tempranillo from the heart of Ribera del Duero
Pago de Valtarreña 2022 is a red wine from the Ribera del Duero D.O., produced by Bodegas Carmelo Rodero using 100% Tinto Fino (Tempranillo) grapes from a single 10.70-hectare vineyard in Pedrosa de Duero, Burgos. Production is limited to 26,250 bottles, and the wine is aged for 22 months in new French oak barrels.
This is a distinctive, small-production wine made only in exceptional vintages. Its defining feature is the origin of the grapes: a single vineyard whose soil, altitude and mature vines give the wine its individual character. The 2022 vintage combines concentration and structure with the elegance that defines this single-vineyard expression of Tempranillo.
A 10.70-hectare vineyard with vines over 40 years old
The Valtarreña vineyard lies at 805 metres above sea level, on soils composed mainly of sand and clay. The vines are between 40 and 45 years old on average and are trained on trellises.
What makes this wine distinctive is that all the grapes come from the same vineyard. Rather than blending fruit from different parts of Ribera del Duero, the aim is to express the character of a specific site in Pedrosa de Duero, planted with a family-selected clone of Tempranillo chosen by the winery itself.
This single-vineyard origin gives the wine a recognisable identity from one vintage to the next, although each year brings its own nuances depending on the weather conditions. The maturity of the vines and careful grape selection are essential to achieving the concentration required for extended oak ageing.
The 2022 vintage: a year of heat and drought
The 2022 growing season was marked by high temperatures and exceptionally low rainfall. The prolonged drought led to differences in the rate of grape ripening, even between neighbouring vineyard plots.
These conditions required careful harvest planning. Picking was carried out selectively and in stages, allowing the grapes to reach the right balance between ripeness and freshness before being harvested.
Despite the challenging conditions, the grapes were exceptionally healthy and showed remarkable concentration. In Pago de Valtarreña 2022, these characteristics translate into a full-bodied, structured wine with enough freshness to balance the intensity of the vintage.
Hand harvesting and gravity-fed winemaking
The grapes are harvested by hand, with selection carried out directly in the vineyard. This initial sorting ensures that only bunches meeting the winery's requirements are used for this expression.
Vinification takes place using a patented rotating, gravity-fed winemaking system. This method reduces mechanical handling and avoids aggressive pumping when moving the grapes and wine.
For a single-vineyard wine, preserving the integrity of the fruit is particularly important. The aim is to respect the characteristics of the selected Tempranillo grapes and allow the subsequent oak ageing to enhance their expression without masking their origin.
22 months in new French oak barrels
Following vinification, the wine spends 22 months in new 225-litre French oak barrels. This extended ageing period helps develop its structure, integrate the tannins and build greater complexity.
New oak requires grapes with sufficient concentration to maintain balance. In this vintage, the intensity of Tempranillo is complemented by a rich, velvety texture, while the oak adds depth without diminishing the wine's freshness.
The wine was bottled on 27 September 2024 and has an alcohol content of 15% ABV. Winemaking is overseen by oenologist Beatriz Rodero.
A limited edition of 26,250 bottles
One of the defining features of this wine is its limited production. The 2022 vintage comprises just 26,250 bottles of 75 cl, made exclusively from grapes grown in the Valtarreña vineyard.
The winery produces this wine only in vintages when grape quality meets its exacting standards. This careful selection, together with its single-vineyard origin and 22 months of oak ageing, makes it particularly appealing to enthusiasts of limited-production wines.
At Licorea, we believe its main appeal lies in the combination of three distinctive elements: a single vineyard of mature vines, a vintage of remarkable concentration and extended ageing in French oak. It is an excellent choice for anyone seeking a Ribera del Duero with a clearly defined sense of place.
How to serve Pago de Valtarreña 2022 and what to pair it with
We recommend serving it at 16–18°C in a generously sized wine glass that allows its aromas to develop. Given its structure and relative youth for a wine of this calibre, it may benefit from moderate aeration before tasting.
Its character makes it an excellent match for red meats, roasts, spiced stews and mature cheeses, as recommended by the winery itself. It also pairs well with roast lamb, game and slow-cooked meat dishes.
For a special meal, it is particularly well suited to traditional Castilian roast suckling lamb. The structure of the Tempranillo and its well-integrated tannins complement the richness of the meat, while the wine's freshness helps maintain balance throughout the meal.
