Pago de Carraovejas

Pago de Carraovejas 2022

Pago de Carraovejas 2022 is the flagship wine of the estate of the same name, located high above the river in the Ribera del Duero . In 1987, José María Ruiz set up shop here with one goal in mind: to create a wine that perfectly complemented the famous suckling pig in his Segovia restaurant. And that combination of power and refinement is still evident in this cuvée. What exactly is Pago de Carraovejas 2022? It's a powerful yet refined blend with plenty of body, clear structure, and remarkably good balance, where Tinto Fino ( Tempranillo ) takes center stage, while Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot provide additional depth and length. In the complex, dry 2022 vintage, the team managed to retain the freshness, making this vintage simultaneously ripe, vibrant, and precise.

Vineyards and region

Pago de Carraovejas 2022 comes from Spain, from Castilla y León , the DO Ribera del Duero, and specifically from the Carraovejas Valley near Peñafiel. The vineyards are situated around 850 meters above sea level and extend onto marshes and plateaus that rise above 900 meters, with slopes locally exceeding 30%. The vines are planted on Tertiary soils of limestone marl, clay, and sandstone, with a calcareous surface texture of red clay and white loam, poor in nutrients but with high water retention. This forces the vines to root deeply and regulate themselves strongly, which is reflected in the wine's concentration and mineral backbone. The 2022 winter was cool and exceptionally dry, but thanks to the water reserves from the previous year, the growth cycle remained consistent and healthy, with even budding and flowering and a slow, even summer veraison. The extreme heat and heat waves were managed with drip irrigation, after which the harvest took place between September 12th and 28th with perfectly ripe, small berries.

Vinification and maturation

The harvest for Pago de Carraovejas 2022 is carried out entirely by hand in small 15-kilo crates, ensuring the grapes arrive at the cellar intact and undamaged. An initial selection takes place in the vineyard, followed by a double sorting table in the bodega, first by bunch and then by individual berries. The must is transferred exclusively by gravity, without pumping, to preserve the fruit's structure as much as possible. Fermentation takes place plot by plot in stainless steel tanks and wooden vats using indigenous yeasts from the estate, followed by malolactic fermentation with the estate's natural lactic acid bacteria. The wine is then aged for 12 months in a combination of French and American oak barrels, with the precise combination chosen for each vintage to express the character of the Carraovejas Valley as purely as possible. For protection and clarity, the wine is traditionally fined with egg white and bottled in the spring of 2024.

Grape composition

Tinto Fino (Tempranillo) – Carraovejas Valley
Tinto Fino (93%) forms the core of the wine, delivering the intensity of ripe cherries, plums and dark berries, together with the firm yet ripe tannins and deep structure so characteristic of Ribera del Duero.

Cabernet Sauvignon – Carraovejas Valley
Cabernet Sauvignon (4%) adds extra backbone, a hint of cassis and fine spiciness, supporting the length and aging potential of the blend.

Merlot – Carraovejas Valley
Merlot (3%) rounds out the whole with a softer texture, a hint of red fruit and a velvety touch in the mid-palate, which contributes to the harmony of this vintage.

Tasting notes and serving suggestions

Pago de Carraovejas 2022 has a deep, almost inky cherry-red color. The nose reveals intense aromas of black currant, plum, and black fig, complemented by subtle notes of violet, sweet spices, balsamic vinegar, and a hint of cocoa and coffee from the oak aging. On the palate, the wine is full-bodied and fleshy, with a core of ripe red and dark fruit, framed by juicy acidity and very fine-grained tannins that provide plenty of structure without becoming angular. The finish is long and layered, with a combination of fruit, spice, a hint of creamy vanilla, and a distinct, chalky freshness that keeps the wine exciting. Ideally, serve Pago de Carraovejas 2022 at 16-18°C (60-64°F) and decant young bottles for 1-2 hours to allow the bouquet to fully unfold. At the table, this is a classic partner for grilled or roasted lamb, slow-cooked beef, Iberico pork dishes, game dishes, or a board of mature sheep's milk and hard cheeses, where its power, elegance, and gastronomic style come into their own.

Awards

• 2022 – 94 p (Vinous)

• 2022 – 93 p (Jeb Dunnuck)