Bodegas Fernando Castro Raices Reserva 2019 is a Spanish Tempranillo Reserva from Valdepeñas, made by a family winery whose history dates back to 1850. The wine gets its character from a long maturation of at least 36 months, with at least 12 months in French and American oak. This makes it a remarkably accessible Reserva with classic Spanish oak influence, ripe red fruit, and a round, spicy structure.
Valdepeñas is located in Castilla La Mancha, in the south of the Spanish Meseta.
Location / Origin: Bodegas Fernando Castro is located in Santa Cruz de Mudela, in the heart of the D.O.P. Valdepeñas, between the plain of La Mancha, Campo de Montiel, Campo de Calatrava, and the Sierra Morena.
Altitude: The vineyards around Finca Los Altos are at an altitude of 705 meters, allowing the grapes to benefit from more freshness during ripening despite the warm climate.
Soil: The region has calcareous, sandy, and red clay soils, with poor and infertile soils that force the vines to root deeper.
Climate & Influences: Valdepeñas has a distinct continental climate, with hot summers, cold winters, and little rainfall. More than 2,500 hours of sunshine per year help the Tempranillo ripen fully.
Vineyard & Harvest: Bodegas Fernando Castro has 380 hectares of vineyards around Finca Los Altos, where the Castro family personally oversees vineyard management.
The upbringing follows the classic Reserva style of Valdepeñas, with time in wood and bottle for extra roundness.
Aging / Oak Aging: The wine ages for a minimum of 36 months, of which at least 12 months in French and American oak barrels of a maximum of 225 liters. This oak aging provides extra structure, notes of vanilla and toast, and makes the finish rounder.
Alcohol Percentage: With 13% alcohol, this Tempranillo remains smooth and accessible, while the long aging adds sufficient depth and spiciness.
This Reserva is entirely supported by Tempranillo, the most important red grape for classic red wines from Valdepeñas.
Tempranillo – D.O.P. Valdepeñas: Tempranillo gives this wine its core of red fruit, soft tannins, and spicy oak notes. In combination with Reserva aging, a round, ripe, and recognizably Spanish style emerges.
