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Pago de Valdestremero, the Estate purchased by Grupo Vinícola
Marqués de Vargas in 2000, was selected for its natural
beauty and environment and also because it has the optimum
conditions for the growing of vines. It enjoyed a reputation
for achieving the perfect levels of ripeness in the grapes.
New vines were planted and a modern winery, equipped with
the most advanced technology, was built and completed in 2006.
The winery, situated close to Peñafiel, in the very
heart of DOC Ribera del Duero, lies concealed at the top of
a valley surrounded by its own vineyards both in the valley
and on the plateau above. These have different micro-climates
and soils, being clayey and sandy, and alluvial. They cover
80 hectares in total, which are divided into 7 plots and planted
with vines of Tinto
Fino, Merlot
and Cabernet
Sauvignon, aged from 10 to 25 years, grown on trellises
and reaching a density of 3,105 vines per hectare. The average
yield is between 1 to 1.4 kg/plant. Sangiovese and Touriga
Nacional have also been planted experimentally. Absolute priority
is given to the fruit; the vines are pruned in winter and
again in summer, and fruit-thinning done to reduce the yield
per hectare which enables the production of wines with intense
colour, powerful and complex structure, glorious fruit and
great potential for improvement in bottle. No pesticides or
herbicides are used, and only natural fertilizers. There is
a drip-irrigation system used only for winter irrigation during
very dry years. The grapes are harvested by hand, and each
plot and variety is vinified separately. The winery has 3,150
French, Russian and American oak barrels, made by the prestigious
barrel makers, Murua and Seguin Moreau. Although the wine
complies with the required barrel ageing to be designated
a Crianza, the oenologists have opted for a generic wine,
since it allows more freedom to work with the exact time the
wine needs to spend in barrel and bottle.
The
Grupo Vinícola Marqués de Vargas now has a presence
in the three most prestigious regions of Spain. The philosophy
behind this new project in DOC Ribera del Duero is along the
same lines as for their Marqués de Vargas wines from
Rioja and their Pazo San Mauro wines from Rias Baixas - the
most advanced winemaking techniques are used without departing
from the regional wine-making tradition. The name Conde de
San Cristóbal is a title of Pelayo de la Mata, the
current Marqués de Vargas.
We
are the appointed UK agents for Bodegas y Viñedos Conde
de San Cristóbal. The wine may be collected from Marqués
de Vargas, Logroño.
NEW!
Click on the underlined grape varieties
for more information.
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