Ribera del Duero & Rueda
MAY 2025
Located in northcentral Spain in the greater region of Castilla y Léon, Ribera del Duero produces dry, intense, fuller-bodied Tempranillo, and Rueda (its smaller neighbor to the southwest) produces the white grape Verdejo.
Both of these regions are on a high, desert plain (2460-3280 feet above sea level), with extreme heat in the summer and cold, snowy weather in winter. It's rural, the elements are brutal, and it's hard to survive unless you're an old Tempranillo or Verdejo vine, in which case you thrive.
Your club includes 2 Tempranillo – one 12 months in oak, one 5 months in oak – from Ribera del Duero and a lovely Verdejo from Rueda. Hope you enjoy! The wines are terrific.
2-BOTTLE CLUB
Bodegas Portia • D.O. Ribera del Duero
Founded in 2010, Bodegas Portia is a relatively new winery, an extension of Familia Martinez Zabala's Faustino brand (famous in Rioja), so there's a lot of cash behind it.
The property encompasses 600 acres of vineyards in Gumiel de Mercado, Roa, Sotillo de la Ribera, and Villanueva de Gumie at an average altitude of 850 meters (2800 feet). "Higher zones (900-1000 m above sea level) have limestone and calcareous soils poor in minerals and nutrients, while the lower zone soils are based on clay and stones, rich in nutrients, and are more permeable. Old vineyards between 85 and 100 years old are bush vines and are harvested manually." Winemaker is Raúl Quemada.
Bodegas Portia 2020 Crianza • Ribera del Duero, Spain • Reg $34.99 | Mixed Case $27.99
100% Tempranillo from 25-year old vines. Aged 10 months in French oak and another 2 months in American oak. Super inviting black & red fruit on the nose. Herbs, minerals, earth. Palate is a symphony of blackberries, black cherries, dark plums. Very complex. Great acidity. Dark chocolate, espresso, fine tannins on the finish. Absolutely great wine! Winery says to pair with flavorful tapas such as andouille sausage, grilled lamb (pictured below from Monteabellon) or a beef roast. Drink now to 3 years.
Bodegas Naia • D.O. Rueda
Rueda officially became a D.O. (Designation of Origen) in 1980, with the goal of showing off the white Rueda grape which makes up 90% of its production. Like Ribera del Duero, it's part of northcentral Spain's high desert plain, so it's hot as heck in summer and freezing cold in winter with sandy soils that are famously phylloxera resistant (a great point of pride for the locals as some of their vines are 100+ years old), drain well and cause the vines to dig deep for nutrients which shows up as minerality in the wine.
Bodegas Naia was founded in 2002 "in the iconic Camino de San Martín, nestling within the triangle made up of the towns of La Seca, Serrada and Rueda."
Laura Sanz (pictured) is the oenologist. She grew up in La Seca in a family of winemakers, studied in Valladolid and Bordeaux, and returned to dedicate herself to the amazingness of Verdejo! She has introduced barrels (to some of their higher-end wines) and "a return to the area’s traditional winemaking methods in caves and underground cellars that used wooden vats and large casks to refine the wines and give them depth and complexity."
Bodegas Naia 2023 Verdejo • Rueda, Spain • Reg $21.99 | Mixed Case $15.99
100% Verdejo. Slight pink grapefruit, soft citrus, apple on the nose. Complex. Sophisticated for Verdejo which is often a grapefruit bomb. Easy-drinking. Delicious. Winery says to enjoy with fish stew (pictured below). Also great with tapas, salads, chicken. Drink now to 2 years.
3-BOTTLE CLUB
Bodegas Monteabellón • D.O. Ribera del Duero
Founded in 2000, Monteabellón is a family-run winery and a much smaller operation than Portia. Monteabellón = Mount Nava de Roa which is the municipality where the winery is located and "is characterized by resinous pines, stone pines, holm oaks, and gall oaks" which are special to the area.
The estate is 175 hectares on 49 different tiny plots in the municipality of Nava de Roa, with each vineyard at different altitudes and with a diversity of soils and microclimates. They grow 95% Tempranillo, locally known as Tinta del País, and 5% Merlot.
Pictured below: "One of the hardest tasks of the grape harvest is undoubtedly the racking. That moment when we separate the liquid part, the already fermented wine, and transfer it to another tank. From the solid part, the skins and pips, we take it to the press."
Bodegas Monteabellón 2021 5 Meses Tempranillo • Ribera del Duero, Spain • Reg $27.99 | Mixed Case $22.39
100% Tempranillo. 5 months in oak. Aromas of cassis, dark plums, earthy notes. Flavors add in dried figs with chocolate & espresso notes. The finish is long and fresh with blackberries, soft tannins and then the acidity kicks in. A dry grape like Tempranillo calls for rich meats (for balance on your palate). The winery suggests pairing with a salami plate (pictured below). Any rich cut of meat off the grill would be perfect. Drink now to 3 years.
A Note from Jens:
Your wine club pick-up tasting is always the 2nd Saturday of the month. Hope you can join us to taste and learn about your wines! They are absolutely delicious and a fun little jaunt through northcentral Spain.
As well, you'll be able to taste the Portalis EXPLORES club wines. May theme is Bordeaux, which never disappoints!
Cheers,
Jens Strecker, Owner
Portalis Wine Shop
If you are here because you’re curious about our wine clubs: Here’s more general info & online sign-up. You can also peruse the last 12 months of both clubs to get a feel for the themes we pick and the wines we showcase: Portalis EXPLORES (our everyday wine club) & Portalis FLAGSHIP (our signature club).