Day Four Begins...We left Valladolid and continued throught Ribera Del Deuro to our second winery visit, Ismael Arroyo. This winery is located in Sotillo de la Ribera in the region of Burgos. Though it was formally established in 1979, the family's history with wine extends back 400 years.
The winery has only 20 hectares of vineyards, planted with Tempranillo. It is the only varietal they grow. The average age of their vines is 40 years though a few are as much as 80 years.
Ramon conducted our private tour. As he speaks primarily Spanish, our guide Jose translated for us. We learned about their winemaking and toured their facilities. It was a very interesting tour. The most fascinating aspect was the trip through their extensive wine cellars.
Dug into the mountain, the cellars consist of numerous tunnels containing many American oak barrels and stored bottles. I almost felt I could have gotten lost in those tunnels, though I could have subsisted for quite some time on all that wine. The cellars maintain a natural temperature that is perfect for storing wine. There are "chimneys" in the ceiling of some of the tunnels that allow air into the cellars, and which help prevent moisture from accumulating on the cellar walls. There is no need to any technology to modify the temperature or humidity. 
The winery has two labels, the Mesoneros and the ValSotillo, nearly all of which are 100% Tempranillo. Their Mesoneros is the less expensive label, and primarily for the Spanish market. We had the opportunity to taste five of their wines. Below is the tasting room.
2005 Mesoneros de Castilla Joven Red: This wine is 100% Tempranillo and is a light and fruity wine. It is an easy drinking wine with a short finish. A very good everyday wine that would go with many foods, or could be drank alone.
2003 ValSotillo Crianza: This wine is also 100% Tempranillo. It has a year in oak and six months of bottle aging. This wine is a lighter red than the Mesoneros. It also has less upfront fruit. There are flavors of vanilla and more subtle berry. It is a very smooth wine with a fine taste.
1999 ValSotillo Reserva: This wine is also 100% Tempranillo. It has two years in oak and a year of bottle aging. This is a more Traditional wine and was impressive. It is a very smooth and silky wine, with a nice balance of fruit and spice with a tinge of vanilla. There is a lingering and satisfying finish. A fine example of what Tempranillo can do.
2001 ValSotillo VS Reserva: This wine is also 100% Tempranillo. It has two years in oak and a year of bottle aging. This wine was a bit darker in color than the 1999. Though similar to the taste of the 1999, there was a bit of tartness on the palate. This wine might need a bit more aging.
1995 Valsotillo Gran Reserva: This wine is also 100% Tempranillo. It has two years in oak and three years of bottle aging. This was an excellent vintage. This is a dark red wine with an intriguing and more subtle nose. It is an exceptional wine with much complexity and great structure and balance. It has a very long finish with great notes of spice and vanilla. Such a delicious wine that just amazed me. Highly recommended!!!
Overall, Ismael Arroyo winery makes some excellent wines. They certainly understand the potential of Tempranillo. Their wines range from inexpensive, everyday wines to high-end complex ones. Taste their wines and I am sure you too will enjoy.
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