Pago de Carraovejas 2023

Pago de Carraovejas 2023 is made at the estate founded by José María Ruiz in 1971 near Peñafiel, in the western part of D.O. Ribera del Duero. The blend leads with Tinto Fino, the local Tempranillo, completed by Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. The vineyards climb the slopes above the winery on limestone, clay and gravel soils, where the stony, free-draining ground limits vigour and the altitude brings cold nights. That wide diurnal range is key to the style, building ripe dark fruit and firm tannin by day while holding acidity by night. The 2023 vintage saw a sharp spring chill followed by intense late-season heat. The wine ages in French and American oak, where slow oxygen exchange softens the tannin and adds spice, vanilla and cocoa, the Cabernet lending extra structure and a herbal lift. The colour is deep cherry red. The nose shows dark plum and red fruit over pepper, spice and tobacco. The palate is full bodied and structured, with firm ripe tannin, fresh acidity and a long spiced finish. Serve at 17C, decanting an hour ahead.