Pago de Carraovejas - Ribera del Duero 2023

Pago de Carraovejas was founded in 1988 and is located in the town of Peñafiel. Pago de Carraovejas loosely translates to "the place where the sheep walk by".

The ongoing pursuit of excellence best defines the career of José María Ruiz, Pago's founder and principal shareholder. In 1982 the Restaurante José María opened its doors in Segovia and the ideas of the young and curious man begin to take shape. José María Ruiz began by transforming the very concept of wine as it was served in the hearty Castilian Taverns. He started by eliminating the traditional pottery pitcher in which they were served and started serving bottled wine, caring meticulously about the presentation, right temperature, conditions, and the serving protocol.

The Ribera was then unknown as wine making region, but Jose María's vigorous efforts to improve the role and treatment of wine in his restaurant had led him to become an ardent explorer of the land and the wines of the area. It was clear to him from the start that it was from this region where his wine, perfectly matched to the star dish of his restaurant and the region, cochinillo (roasted suckling piglet), had to come.

In 1987 José María Ruiz lead a group of wine loving Segovians and together they conceived the idea of creating a winery in a region that can produce good reds. Three reasons made them choose the hillsides of Carraovejas, in Peñafiel. First, Peñafiel has been historically, the hub of the Ribera del Duero wine making region, and the area with more potential of all the Spanish wine making regions. Second, its proximity to Segovia. And third and probably the most important reason, because the elders of the village remembered the hillsides of Carraovejas as the best grape ripening site, as later confirmed by numerous studies.

Naturally, choosing the right location, land and climate was essential. Three kilometers outside Peñafiel, in the sunny enclave formed by the valleys of the Botijas River (a tributary of the Duero River), the land enjoys a microclimate created by the sweetening influence of the Duero River, the dominant west winds that keep the vines healthy and the south facing aspect of the softly rolling hillsides, sheltered from the damaging effects of the north wind and devastation from the spring frosts and autumn freezes. The perfect conditions for a thriving vineyard: sun and air.

Hand harvested. Cold chamber. Crushed; no pressing. Must is extracted by gravity. Fermented with indigenous yeast, followed by malolactic fermentation with native microbiota from the estate. Aged 12 months in French and American oak barrels. Clarified with natural egg white.

"Newly bottled, the 2023 has years to go in bottle, 15 to 20 if not more. Tart, juicy red and black berry fruit drapes against rounded, expansive tannins and pronounced oak from its youthfulness. The full-bodied Tempranillo, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Merlot are destemmed and triple-selected from estate vines and then gravity flowed into stainless steel and oak vats. Large-format French and American oak come into play during the 12 months of aging. This is still a baby, but it’s already full of tremendous sophistication, delicacy, and seamless elegance. Hold it for 3-5 years and enjoy for another 25.” - 95 Points, Jeb Dunnuck

Producer: Pago de Carraovejas

Country: Spain

Region: Castilla y León

Varietal: Tempranillo, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot

Appellation: Ribera del Duero

Vintage: 2023

Size: 750ml