Pago de Carraovejas 2023

PAGO DE CARRAOVEJAS 2023

Some wines become benchmarks for their consistency, their ability to convey a sense of place, and a winemaking approach based on precision and respect for the raw materials. Pago de Carraovejas 2023 is one of them. This estate wine represents a profound and precise interpretation of the Carraovejas Valley and, in this vintage, once again showcases the personality of a unique landscape in the Ribera del Duero region.

The 2023 vintage was marked by an irregular weather cycle. The winter was mild, and in early April, some isolated frosts affected certain buds in specific areas of the vineyard. Subsequently, the summer was dry and particularly hot, with an intense heat wave at the end of August. The harvest took place after torrential rains in early September and continued under high temperatures. In such conditions, meticulous work in the vineyard and precision during the harvest proved essential to preserving the balance and freshness of the grapes.

Pago de Carraovejas 2023 originates from a veritable mosaic of over one hundred plots scattered throughout the Carraovejas Valley, with varying altitudes, orientations, and soil textures. The vineyard sits at approximately 850 meters above sea level, on soils of limestone, red clay, and white marl, with fine grain size and a high water retention capacity. This diversity of plots allows for the creation of a complex and balanced wine, in which each component contributes a different dimension.

The vintage blend is composed of 94% Tinto Fino, 3% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 3% Merlot. The Tinto Fino provides the identity and structure of the Ribera del Duero region, while the small proportions of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot contribute to completing the wine's profile with nuances of complexity and balance.

The grapes are harvested by hand in 15-kilo crates, after an initial selection of bunches in the vineyard itself. Once in the winery, the grapes undergo a double selection process, first of bunches and then of berries. The must is transferred by gravity, ensuring maximum respect for the integrity of the raw material. Fermentation is carried out with native yeasts and lactic bacteria from the estate itself, a decision that reinforces the expression of the terroir and the wine's personality.

After fermentation, Pago de Carraovejas 2023 is aged for 12 months in 225- and 600-liter French and American oak barrels. The aging process is characterized by precision and meticulous attention to detail, aiming to allow the oak to complement the wine without masking the estate's character. Finally, the wine is clarified with natural egg whites and bottled in the spring of 2025.

In the glass, the 2023 vintage displays a structured and fluid profile, with a harmonious complexity where fresh fruit, floral notes, and subtle spicy nuances coexist. Freshness takes center stage, balancing the wine's volume, while the texture is silky, enveloping, and perfectly integrated.

Pago de Carraovejas 2023 is a wine of great personality, but also of remarkable balance. A Ribera del Duero that combines depth, structure, and aging potential with a fresh, elegant, and fluid expression. The precision of the plot selection, the diversity of soils and orientations, the hand-harvesting, and meticulous winemaking create a wine that clearly reflects the character of its origin.

At El Sumiller, we selected Pago de Carraovejas because it represents one of the most recognizable and consistent benchmarks of contemporary Spanish wine. A single-estate wine that has forged its own identity through the interpretation of a unique landscape and that, vintage after vintage, continues to offer an exceptional combination of fruit, freshness, structure, and elegance.

Tasting Notes

Appearance: Intense and deep color.

Nose: Intense and elegant, with fresh fruit, floral hints, spicy nuances, and notes of dark fruit and dark chocolate.

Palate: Fresh, structured, and fluid, with a silky and enveloping texture. A well-rounded, balanced, and persistent wine, with a vibrant finish and great harmony.

Food Pairing

Perfect with suckling pig, roast lamb and kid, red meats, Iberian pork tenderloin, grilled meats, stews, poultry, and aged cheeses.

Serving Temperature

Serve between 16 and 18 ºC.