Condado de Haza Crianza 2020

With a long tradition to look back on and a long run overseeing the Pesquera Group, Alejandro Fernández continues to be actively involved and supervise every last detail of the four wineries which comprise his wine legacy: Tinto Pesquera and Condado de Haza in the Ribera del Duero; Dehesa La Granja in Castilla y León; and El Vínculo in Castilla - La Mancha. The upshot of this dedication is that all his wines share not only their creator's distinctive traits, but also an extremely high standard of quality and the perfect union between tradition and modernity. The Condado de Haza estate has brought the concept of the French château to the banks of the River Duero. Since 1987, it has encompassed around 200 hectares of excellent Tempranillo vines which grow at an altitude of more than 800 metres on sandy loam soils. This is where the grapes come from that give rise to the Condado de Haza Crianza, undoubtedly the best approach for gaining an insight into this winery's work. A single varietal Tempranillo which ages for 18 months in American oak barrels and a further 6 months in bottle, all taking place in the ageing halls which were designed to burrow into the hillside, 30 metres below the vineyard, a 200-metre long tunnel where the ideal temperature and humidity conditions for keeping wine are maintained. The result is a wine which picks up this region's character and powerfulness and its creator's proficiency and experience, conserving the excellence of the ripe fruit, and the elegance and profundity of well-balanced oak. A fragrant wine which highlights on the nose its intense fruit-driven and floral aromas and the balsamic notes which round off its bouquet. On the palate it appears smooth and velvety, with touches of black fruit jam which make the mouthfeel even more luscious, if that's possible. A dry, powerful and elegant wine, with structure and smoky touches and sweet spices provided by its stay in oak. A fine, lingering aftertaste and a long evolution in bottle.