Berta Valgañón - Rioja Alta

Berta’s story has deep roots: before her, even before her father Alfredo, there were several generations of winemakers from her vineyards.  In the heart of Rioja Alta, at the foot of the Obarenes Mountains, the wines of Berta Valgañón are born.  Berta makes her wines from estate vineyards of organic and regenerative viticulture (some planted by Berta herself, some with her father, and some by her great-grandparents more than 100 years ago).  These old vines respond to a great biodiversity and remain standing thanks to the work and dedication of many generations.

Berta Valgañón Selección Maturana Tinta 2022

100% Maturana Tinta de Navarrete.  Certified organic. From the Finca San Chidrián vineyard in Villaseca. Planted in 2017.

Winemaking:  Hand harvested in 25kg boxes on the 10th of October.  Spontaneous fermentation and aging in a concrete tank for 11 months.  Low total SO2 (57 mg/L).  Bottled unfiltered and aged in bottle for a minimum of 8 additional months.

Production:  1,500 bottles (672 bottles imported)

Berta Valgañón Selección Maturana Tinta 2023

100% Maturana Tinta de Navarrete.  Certified organic. From the Finca San Chidrián vineyard in Villaseca. Planted in 2017.

Winemaking:  Hand harvested in 25kg boxes on the 4th of October.  Spontaneous fermentation and aging in a concrete tank for 11 months.  Low total SO2 (32 mg/L).  Bottled unfiltered and aged in bottle for a minimum of 8 additional months.

Production:  1,500 bottles (480 bottles imported)

Berta Valgañón Selección Tempranillo 2021

85% Tempranillo/10% Graciano/5% Garnacha. Certified organic. The best selection of Berta's grapes from a vineyard planted in 1990.

Winemaking:  Hand harvested in 25kg boxes between the 18th and 22nd of October.  Spontaneous fermentation in stainless steel and concrete tanks.  Malolactic fermentation in 500L barrels and concrete. Aged in 500-600L used French oak barrels, concrete and flextank for 18 months.  Low total SO2 (19 mg/L).  Bottled unfiltered and aged in bottle for a minimum of 1 additional year.

Production:  5,200 bottles

Tim Atkin 93:  Berta Valgañón Selección Maturana Tinta 2022

The vines were only five years old in 2022, but this Maturana Tinta from a 0.3-hectare parcel

in cool climate Fonzaleche has plenty of concentration and lovely balance. Fermented and

aged in concrete, it's a grassy, fleshy, layered red with notes of capsicum and black cherry,

textured tannins and a violet top note. 2024-2029

Decanter 90:  Berta Valgañón Selección Tempranillo 2021

With some serious graphite and chocolate notes, this offers quite a lot of wine at the price point. Blueberry and red berry fruit with soft tannins and some spice lead to a soft palate with a juicy finish. From organic vines at the northwest end of Rioja Alta, at 540m-600m on the slopes leading up to the Obarenes mountains, west of Haro, on silt loam and limestone soils. 85%Tempranillo, 10% Graciano and 5% Garnacha, fermented in stainless steel and concrete tanks with malolactic fermentation in 500L barrels and concrete, followed by ageing for 18 months in neutral, 500L-600L French oak barrels, concrete and flexitank.  2025 - 2029

RP 90:  Berta Valgañón Selección Maturana Tinta 2022

Reviewed by: Luis Gutiérrez

Issue Date: February 29, 2024

The 2022 Región I, which might be called simply Maturana Tinta in some markets, was produced with vines from that variety planted in 2017. It fermented in raw concrete with indigenous yeasts and matured exclusively in concrete for one year. It has 13.5% alcohol and is primary, fruit driven, juicy and young and has mellow acidity with some dusty tannins that call for food. 1,600 bottles were filled in September 2023.  2024-2028