The success and recognition that Castilla y León wines continue to garner is testament to the wide range of both styles and outstanding terroirs found in the region, which occupies the Meseta Central in north-western Spain. This high plateau dominates much of the landscape, extending to the foothills of the surrounding mountain ranges. Summers are dry and very hot, while winters can be bitterly cold, with fierce winds battering landscape, vines and inhabitants alike.
Scroll down for the tasting notes and scores of
top DWWA medal-winning Castilla y León wines
A cast of characterful DOs
The region is home to 13 diverse DOs: Tierra del Vino de Zamora, Toro, Rueda and Ribera del Duero follow the Duero river (known as the Douro downstream in Portugal); Cigales sits just to the north of the river and Valtiendas to the south, while mountainous Arribes hugs the border with Portugal.
The DO Sierra de Salamanca lies in the south of Castilla y León, while Cebreros sits at its southernmost limit, bordering the Community of Madrid. To the north is Arlanza, a small DO centred around the historic town of Lerma, while Valles de Benavente and Tierra de León are further north, beyond Toro, and in the north-western corner lies Bierzo, close to the border with Galicia.
The white wine revolution
In a region famed for reds, it is exciting to see the indigenous white variety Albillo Mayor recognised for its quality at DWWA 2024. One of Castilla y León’s traditional and almost forgotten grapes, it is the star of Bodegas Valduero’s Blanco 2016, which received 97 points (a Platinum medal) and was named a Best in Show wine.
This wasn’t the only Albillo Mayor to feature among the competition’s top wines: Alejandro Fernandez’s Tinto Pesquera 2022 also won a Platinum medal and 97 points, with the judges in awe of its ‘show-stopping opulence’.
A further 87 medals were awarded to whites from Rueda, the most important white wine DO in Castilla y Leo?n, and one of Spain’s great white wine terroirs. Its old vines (many pre-phylloxera) and sandy and stony soils have produced a multitude of award-winners, primarily from the local superstar grape, Verdejo.
De Alberto Dorado from Hijos De Alberto Gutierrez once again impressed the judges, receiving 97 points and a Platinum medal. The fortified Verdejo, which ages oxidatively in glass demijohns and oak casks in a solera system, was described as ‘an embarrassment of riches’ and a ‘memorable experience’.
A world-class fine wine region
Ribera del Duero’s huge haul of 247 medals cements the DO as one of Spain’s – and arguably the world’s – great fine wine regions. Of those, 10 were Gold medals and four Platinum medals, in addition to Valduero’s Best in Show award.
Highlighting one of the DO’s strengths, several of the top-scoring Ribera del Duero reds have old-vine origins: Pago del Cielo’s Celeste Reserva and Bodegas R&G Rolland Galarreta’s wines are produced from vineyards that are at least 45 years old. Bodegas Alilian’s Camino del Abuelo, meanwhile, comes from pre-phylloxera vines, and 41 Norte uses vines with a minimum age of 70 to create its Marcoli cuve?e.
Quiet achievers
As well as celebrating these famed DOs, the DWWA’s rigorous blind tasting system also shines a spotlight on their perhaps lesser-known neighbours: Vinos de La Luz won a Gold medal for its white Valcerracin Seleccio?n Limitada Garnacha Gris, produced in Cigales, a region best known for its traditional claretes. Likewise, Vile La Finca gained a Gold medal for its fresh and serious Valjunco rose? from Prieto Picudo, a native Castilla y Leo?n grape famously used for traditional rosados.
From fresh, young white wines to lively rose?s and big, bold reds, Castilla y Leo?n continues to produce highly sought-after wines, recognised year after year on the world stage for their personality, diversity and quality.
Top DWWA medal-winning Castilla y León wines
Valduero, Blanco, Reserva, Ribera…
Source : https://www.decanter.com.master.public.keystone-prod-eks-euw1.futureplc.engineering/sponsored/castilla-y-leon-a-rich-history-and-a-bright-future-542185/
