2019 Milsetentayseis Tinto by Pago de Carraovejas

Milsetentayseis La Peña is the new project of Alma Carraovejas who strives for only top quality coming from small plots located in the most unique sub-area of the Ribera del Duero: Fuentenebro. The plots are very old vineyards (Pre-Phylloxera) containing authentic very old Tinto varieties (5 pieces) of the Tinto de Fino (Tempranillo clones) planted over 100 years ago (see image with the very old vines). The vineyard is located very high and has a unique terroir and soil condition that is nowhere as extreme as in the Ribera del Duero.

Milsetentayseis means 1076 and that is the height of the vineyard - one of the highest vineyards in the Ribera del Duero. The wine pays tribute to the Fuentenebro sub-region with its unique landscape, extreme elevation and uniquely distinct soil. The vineyard is situated next to an old stone mine and has a very striking reddish soil with a surplus of mineral deposits including quartz, mica and feldspar. It is very poor soil, but rich in minerals and all this makes wines of incomparable intensity and purity.

The grapes are harvested by hand and transported in small crates of 12 kg. The whole whole bunches are gently bruised to obtain the purest essence of each variety. Both fermentation and subsequent aging took place in large 600 liter oak barrels where the wine matures on its lees for six months to bring the complexity, texture and seriousness of this wine to full maturity.

It is a wine designed to evolve over time. Its freshness and intense mouthfeel are representative of a modern style, emphasizing elegance, smoothness and balance.