In a very short time, Ribera del Duero has become one of the most sought after and respected Spanish red-wine producing regions. When the D.O (a Spanish appellation or AVA) was founded in 1982, there were only 9 bodegas. In 2013 — when Wine Enthusiast named it as the best wine region in the world — that number had jumped to 280!

One of those nine original estates is Bodega ValSotillo. Although Ismael Arroyo established ValSotillo in 1979, his family has been passing down their accumulated knowledge about their vineyards and cellars from generation to generation since the 16th century! Ismael was instrumental in writing the laws for what became Ribera del Duero, and in the process, became a founding father of one of Spain's most prestigious appellations. Today, they continue to be a leading reference of quality as one of the top artisanal producers in the region.

I was lucky enough to start working with Bodega ValSotillo just over three years ago, when Steph and I went to visit this historic estate, located in the Burgos region of Ribera del Duero. While there, we saw their immaculate vineyards which sit on 25 hectares (over 61 acres) in the village of Sotillo de la Ribera. These gnarly, bush-trained Tinto Fino (Tempranillo) vines — grown in clay soils — average 40 years of age, many as old as 80 years, some over 100 years old! In exceptional vintages, it is these grapes that go into their Vendimia Seleccionada (VS) Reserva.

We also had the opportunity to visit their cellars. Touring the winery is like stepping back in time, in the best sense of the phrase. The property was once a wine-making village, where each family's home had its own entrance into the caves within the mountain. As I walked through the narrow tunnels, I ran my fingers across the walls and ceiling, feeling the pick marks left when those tunnels were carved out by hand over 400 years ago. These centuries-old cellars stretch for over two miles underground. It is impossible not be swept away by the majesty and history of the estate, and that feeling is present in every wine that is carefully grown, vinified and aged in these historic vineyards and cellars.

The Finca Buenavista pours an intense purple color, emitting ripe, lush dark-berry fruit aromas that leap from the glass even before you lift it to your nose. This wine is robust and broad with suave, mouth-coating tannins and rich fruit flavor, yet shows incredible elegance and freshness on the mid-palate. The finish is long-lasting and graced with hints of pipe tobacco, spice and plum. This wine showcases the Ribera del Duero wonderfully: gorgeous ripeness of fruit with a complementing soft texture, brooding intensity and a layered depth of flavor. Enjoy the Finca Buenavista on its own, but it will pair beautifully with most lamb, beef and pork dishes, especially from the grill.