Felix Callejo Callejo Seleccion de Vinedos de la Familia 2005
-
Wine
Spectator -
Wine
Enthusiast
Product Details
Your Rating
Somm Note
Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
-
Wine Spectator
The solid structure is chiseled from granite, but carries elegant, even delicate flavors of lilac, strawberry, cinnamon and bitter chocolate. The tannins grip, then dissolve, while the acidity keeps this red lively and fresh.
-
Wine Enthusiast
A rich, deep style of Tempranillo with earth and leather aromas along with a lot of new oak. Violet in color, with matching aromas of plum, berry, tobacco and chocolate. Pretty yet stout in the mouth, with intense berry fruit flavors and all the length one could ask for.
Yields are limited naturally by the hard continental climate and a poor soil of low fertility. On top of that Jose Felix, the winemaker does an strict green prunning and selection, an average of only 8 bunches are allowed per plant. The maximum yield obtained is 4000 kg/Ha.
Tinto Fino is the native Tempranillo grape variety found in Ribera del Duero. The variety is structured, elegant and complex, giving rise to high quality wines. Clear sunshine during the day and cool night-time temperatures are the ingredients that yield these healthy, rich colored grapes packed with sugars and fragrant acidity. The Tinto Fino variety has adapted wellto the altitude and climate of Ribera del Duero. The vines are planted at almost 2800 feet, some of the highest planted in the region, and don't receive any artificial irrigation. No pesticides or chemical fertilizers are used in the Estate.
Felix Callejo uses grapes from its Estate only. The grapes are carefully selected and handpicked into small cases of 30 pounds. Carried in small quantities, there is no danger of having the grape skins break and sparking an undesired premature fermentation. The crates are taken directly to the winery, where they go through two selection tables, the second one selecting grape by grape and discarding any imperfect grapes. The Crianza wines are made with grapes coming from vines that are at least 35 years old. For the Reservas and above, the plants are at least 50 years old.
Only native yeasts are used. Aging takes place in oak casks (70% French 30% American) for a minimum of 12 months for the Crianza wines and 18 months for the Reservas.
Notoriously food-friendly, long-lasting and Spain’s most widely planted grape, Tempranillo is the star variety of red wines from Rioja and Ribera del Duero. The Rioja terms Joven, Crianza, Reserva and Gran Reserva indicate both barrel and bottle time before release. Traditionally blended in Rioja with Garnacha, plus a bit of Mazuelo (Carignan) and Graciano, the Tempranillo in Ribera del Duero typically stands alone. Somm Secret—Tempranillo claims many different names depending on location. In Penedès, it is called Ull de Llebre and in Valdepeñas, goes by Cencibel. Known as Tinta Roriz in Portugal, Tempranillo plays an important role in Port wine.
Ribera del Duero, Spanish wine region, is located in northen Spain’s Castilla y León region, just a 2-hour drive from Madrid. While winemaking in this area goes back more than 2000 years, it was in the 1980s that 9 wineries applied for and were granted Denominación de Origen (D.O.) status. Today, more than 300 wineries call Ribera del Duero home, including some of Spain’s most iconic names.
Notable Facts Ribera’s main grape variety, Tempranillo, locally know as Tinto Fino, is perfectly suited to the extreme climate of the region, where it must survive scorching summers and frigid winters. Low yields resulting from conscientious tending to old vines planted in Ribera’s diverse soils types, give Ribera wines a distinctive depth and complexity not found in other Tempranillos. Rich and full-bodied, the spice, dark fruit and smoky flavors in a bold Ribera del Duero will pair well with roasted and grilled meats, Mexican food and tomato-based sauces.