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Pago de Valdestremero, the Estate purchased by Grupo Vinícola
Marqués de Vargas in 2000, was chosen because of 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 ripeness levels 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 DO Ribera del Duero, lies hidden at the
top of a valley surrounded by its own vineyards both in the
valley and on the plateau above, which have different micro-climates
and soils, being clayey and sandy, and alluvial. They cover
80 hectares in total, divided into 7 plots 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 to enable 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 manually, and each plot and variety
is vinified separately. They have 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, they 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 DO 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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