Winemaker Notes
The most honest interpretation of the Carraovejas valley. Balance, structure and delicacy present against a lively background. A passion for detail in every process. Freshness and elegance with the personality of the origin. The extraordinary expression of a unique valley.
Blend: 92% Tinto Fino, 5% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Merlot
Professional Ratings
-
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The eponymous 2021 Pago de Carraovejas comes from a cooler year when they consider the grapes had exceptional quality. The bottled wine is composed of Tinto Fino with 5% Cabernet Sauvignon and 3% Merlot with 15% alcohol but good freshness and integration of the oak after spending 12 months in 226- and 600-liter barrels. It's medium to full-bodied, with fine tannins, a juicy mouthfeel and a tasty finish. This is a more elegant Carraovejas.
Rating: 93+ -
James Suckling
Vibrant plums, cherries, cocoa powder and stones on the nose. Quite fresh on the medium- to full-bodied palate with sleek tannins that are evenly spread. Linear and polished. Very well crafted.
-
Wine Spectator
With concentration to the flavors of cherry compote, red licorice and plum skin, this refined red offers aromatic accents of fern, lavender, mocha, anise and tar. There's an orange peel tang to the fresh, balancing acidity, and this is satiny in texture through to the slightly chewy finish. Tempranillo, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. Drink now through 2031.
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.