From the point of view of climate,, the 2022 vintage was characterized by cool winter months and extremely low rainfall, reaching limits that had not been observed for years. Due to the previous year’s good rainfall, the vines had good accumulated water reserves, which allowed the vineyard to have a good phenological cycle and normal development. In some specific areas, there was weaker vigor as a result of the scarcity of rainfall. The cycle developed somewhat earlier than usual, with no risk of frost or stony episodes throughout the vegetative cycle. Budding and flowering were perfectly developed in each of the varieties worked, and a homogeneous and balanced development of the plants was achieved. The cycle followed the line of the winter with scarce rainfall, which resulted in an excellent sanitary condition.

The summer was excessively hot, with several episodes of heat waves, which were alleviated thanks to drip irrigation. The episodes of irrigation took place over the entire area of the estate, resulting in optimal vegetative development, although somewhat less than in years with high rainfall. Veraison, which was slower than in previous years, and ripening began in early August and the berries developed very uniformly. Harvest began on September 12, starting with our earliest variety, Merlot, followed by Tempranillo and ending with Cabernet on September 28. The grapes came in with optimum quality and without any episode of rain, allowing for a continuous harvest.

The 2021 vintage was characterized by a winter with high rainfall, which benefited the vegetative balance of the vineyard. Due to the abundant rainfall that year, the entire development of the vineyard was very homogeneous and exceptionally balanced. To counteract this humidity and achieve balanced vigor, we worked with spontaneous plant covers planted in certain areas. The irrigation campaign was mainly for the Merlot variety and in very specific areas as a support tool. The vineyard cycle developed normally with no meteorological incidents.

Budbreak took place at the end of April. Due to the rainfall throughout the year, the viticulture team was very attentive to the health of the vines, although thanks to the management of the canopies, vigor was very controlled. Yields were very good because there was no interference in the development of the vineyard cycle, which was balanced by thinning the clusters. The harvest began at the end of September, starting with the Merlot variety, followed by our native variety, Tempranillo, and ending with Cabernet Sauvignon on October 14. As in the previous season, it was a long harvest due to the repeated episodes of rainfall during this period, but the grapes entered the winery with exceptional quality.

PAGO DE CARRAOVEJAS 2020

From the point of view of climate, the 2020 vintage featured a winter with high rainfall. This rain was very beneficial fir the vineyards since in 2019 the overall impression was one of shortage. As a result of the abundant rainfall and the water reserves accumulated throughout the year, the growth cycle in the vineyard was balanced and uniform. Spontaneous and seeded plant coverage was used where this was felt to be necessary, so in spite of the humidity, growth enjoyed controlled vigour throughout the year. The vineyard’s growth cycle progressed gradually and harmoniously; it was not affected by the threat of frost or changes in weather. There was generalised sprouting at the end of April, and no weather or health incidents were recorded.

Throughout the cycle special attention had to be paid from the sanitary point of view, but no notable incidents were recorded because the vigour of the plants was very much under control as a result of the different growth techniques employed and the management of the vegetable coverage. As there was no interference with the development and growth of the buds, the output from the vines was very good and balanced by repeatedly thinning out the bunches of grapes. The harvest began on 14 September, starting with the earliest variety (merlot), followed by the indigenous variety (tempranillo) and this fabulous harvest finished with cabernet sauvignon, completed on 10 October. It was a long drawn-out harvest due to rainfall on a number of occasions throughout this period but with patience and prudent waiting the harvest was regularly deposited in the cellar and was of excellent quality.

PAGO DE CARRAOVEJAS 2019

The 2019 vintage was characterised by a warm winter and limited rainfall. Thanks to the significant rainfall in 2018, the vines preserved a reserve of water, leading to a perfect and homogeneous development throughout the growth cycle of the vines. A cycle that was brought forward to a certain extent by a warm winter and low rainfall. Budding and flowering progressed in a balanced way for each of the varieties on the estate. The climate cycle continued with very low rainfall with the result that the vines remained in perfect health so minimum action was required in the vineyard. Irrigation was undertaken but only in restricted areas and very occasionally and thanks to the above-mentioned water reserves the growth of the vines was optimal.

The change in colour (veraison) and maturity began around mid-August and the grapes began to grow very evenly. At the end of the month there were a number of hailstone storms that affected a small part of the estate. Treatment with a desiccant to correct any minimal impact gave excellent results. Rainfall during these days brought ripening forward and brought about an increase in the weight of the grapes. The harvest began on 18 September, with the earliest variety, merlot, followed by tempranillo and then cabernet sauvignon, which completed the harvest on 5 October. All the grapes were of the highest quality and practically no rain fell, so the harvesting was uninterrupted.

PAGO DE CARRAOVEJAS 2018 · EL ANEJÓN 2018 · CUESTA DE LAS LIEBRES 2018

The 2018 vintage featured a winter with high rainfall, which benefitted a vineyard that had been somewhat weakened by the frosts in 2017 and the lack of rainfall in general. This resulted in comprehensive recovery throughout the estate. Spontaneous and seeded plant coverage was used where this was felt to be necessary, so growth enjoyed controlled vigour throughout the year in spite of the excess humidity. The vineyard’s growth cycle progressed gradually and it was not affected by the risk of frost or changes in weather. The moment when there was the greatest threat was the night of 13 May when temperatures were close to 0ºC. The vineyard was hardly affected due to the use of frost protection wind machines and paraffin wax candles.

There was generalised sprouting at the end of April, and the cycle proceeded correctly. Summer came late and was dry and as there had been a concentration of humidity in winter irrigation was hardly necessary. These weather conditions meant that health and ripening were optimal. Plant vigour was always under control by the use of different growth techniques and the management of the vegetable coverage. The vineyard produced a very good harvest as there were no impediments to the development and growth of the buds; these were balanced by repeatedly thinning out the bunches of grapes.

The harvest began on 29 September, starting with the Merlot variety, followed by the indigenous variety (Tempranillo) and this fabulous harvest finished with Cabernet Sauvignon, completed on 12 October. Due to a lack of rainfall in this period and a careful selection throughout the vineyard, the harvest was regularly deposited in the cellar and was of excellent quality.

PAGO DE CARRAOVEJAS 2017

The year featured a severe drought, the winter was not especially cold and there was very little rainfall. The accumulated rainfall in January and February was 30 litres, less than half that in a normal year. The first sprouts appeared at the end of March/beginning of April and budding was very early, between 15 and 25 April. At the end of April there was a severe frost that affected part of the vineyards and which was mitigated to a certain extent by anti frost wind machines. The temperature reached 7 degrees below zero in Mélida on 28 April. The vines gradually recovered and the mild temperatures in May and June together with scarce rainfall led to optimum flowering on the vines.

It was a very hot summer with hardly any rainfall, but fortunately it rained a number of times in July and at the end of August and this helped to control and balance the vigour and growth in our vineyards. In the end, harvests were low (40% less) as a result of the frosts, but the quality was excellent with the vineyard remaining in excellent health until harvesting began. The harvest started on 19 September and ended on 30 September. It was completed with no interference from the weather.

EL ANEJÓN 2016 · PAGO DE CARRAOVEJAS 2016

The year featured a severe drought, the winter was not especially cold and there was very little rainfall. The accumulated rainfall in January and February was 30 litres, less than half that in a normal year. The first sprouts appeared at the end of March/beginning of April and budding was very early, between 15 and 25 April. At the end of April there was a severe frost that affected part of the vineyards and which was mitigated to a certain extent by anti frost wind machines. The temperature reached 7 degrees below zero in Mélida on 28 April. The vines gradually recovered and the mild temperatures in May and June together with scarce rainfall led to optimum flowering on the vines.

It was a very hot summer with hardly any rainfall, but fortunately it rained a number of times in July and at the end of August and this helped to control and balance the vigour and growth in our vineyards. In the end, harvests were low (40% less) as a result of the frosts, but the quality was excellent with the vineyard remaining in excellent health until harvesting began. The harvest started on 19 September and ended on 30 September. It was completed with no interference from the weather.

CUESTA DE LAS LIEBRES 2015 · EL ANEJÓN 2015 · PAGO DE CARRAOVEJAS 2015

A special feature of the 2015 vintage was the adoption of a most unusual ageing cycle. The winter was not especially cold although there was frost on occasions and very little rainfall. All this led to the first shoots emerging early at the end of March. Together with higher temperatures and increased rainfall in April, this led to a generalised budding of the vines.

In the second half of May there were a number of days with severe frosts, with a different impact on each of the vineyards, a reduction of the volume of fruit harvested and an increase in quality. The lack of rainfall in the final months and the high average temperatures during the grape maturity cycle had an impact on this lower yield. The harvest began on 24 September and ended on 15 October, with planning and without incidents. We should highlight the excellence of the raw materials and the excellent health of the grapes.

CUESTA DE LAS LIEBRES 2014 · EL ANEJÓN 2014 · RESERVA 2014 · CRIANZA 2014

The 2014 harvest was marked by a very early start. In April the vineyard in Pago de Carraovejas already showed signs of activity which is really quite unusual. It was a very hot spring that led to an early start to summer. The summer was cooler than usual and enhanced by an unbeatable end to the cycle with a September that was more like summer than autumn. The harvest was unhurried and orderly, beginning on 26 September and ending with the Cabernet Sauvignon on 18 October.

Rain as the harvest was approaching drew the process out but the parameters for quality and health remained intact resulting in a harvest that was as unusual from a climatological point of view as encouraging from the point of view of quality.

CRIANZA 2013

Throughout its cycle the 2013 harvest featured an especially rainy spring, which was welcome after a very dry 2012, followed by a very hot summer. The summer actually started out with rather low temperatures and was late arriving, which meant that ripening began with somewhat cold weather which balanced out later and harvesting was affected by rainfall as the time for harvesting approached.

These climate conditions prolonged the cycle and the grapes did not ripen until 14 October. Harvesting took 17 days from this date and required uninterrupted manual labour that featured not only the usual careful selection of grapes at the entry to the wine cellar but also extremely careful selection in the vineyard that guaranteed the health of the grapes and optimum ripening which produced the good acidity and balance that characterise the vintages of Pago de Carraovejas.

EL ANEJÓN 2012 · RESERVA 2012 · CRIANZA 2012

Throughout its cycle the 2013 harvest featured an especially rainy spring, which was welcome after a very dry 2012, followed by a very hot summer. The summer actually started out with rather low temperatures and was late arriving, which meant that ripening began with somewhat cold weather which balanced out later and harvesting was affected by rainfall as the time for harvesting approached.

These climate conditions prolonged the cycle and the grapes did not ripen until 14 October. Harvesting took 17 days from this date and required uninterrupted manual labour that featured not only the usual careful selection of grapes at the entry to the wine cellar but also extremely careful selection in the vineyard that guaranteed the health of the grapes and optimum ripening which produced the good acidity and balance that characterise the vintages of Pago de Carraovejas.

CUESTAS DE LAS LIEBRES 2011 · EL ANEJÓN 2011 · RESERVA 2011 · CRIANZA 2011

Harvesting took place between 26 September and 14 October. The sunny conditions and the lack of water brought the cycle forward almost a month compared to usual harvests. In spite of it being a very hot year, the lack of water meant that the grapes were particularly healthy and the conditions were right for the suitable ripening of varieties like Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon.
In the first case because of the absence of rainfall during flowering which enabled the fruit to set perfectly. With regard to Cabernet Sauvignon it made a long ripening cycle possible. The parameters of the raw material made for an excellent crop with excellent colour and possibly the right conditions for producing “gran crianza”.

EL ANEJÓN 2010 · RESERVA 2010 · CRIANZA 2010

The 2010 vintage was largely conditioned by the frost during budding on 6 May, which spread across practically the entire designation of origin. This made the task of selection at the vineyard essential, starting with appropriate summer pruning to select the shoots that were in perfect condition. This situation led to an exhaustive selection of the raw material, both in the vineyard and on the selection tables, leading to lower output and the appropriate handling of the vineyard provided grapes that were very healthy and of high quality. The harvest started on 12 October and ended on 27 October.

CUESTA DE LAS LIEBRES 2009 · EL ANEJÓN 2009 · CRIANZA 2009

Harvesting started on 1 October and ended with the Cabernet Sauvignon on 27 October. The whole ripening cycle was conditioned by the lack of rain and harvesting was undertaken when the grapes were in excellent health.
Strict selection in the vineyard and the management of irrigation were the key factors involved to achieve excellent raw materials.

CRIANZA 2008

Harvesting started on 14 October and ended with the Cabernet Sauvignon on 7 November. Harvesting was very complex. It was long, intense and staggered due to the rain. The cycle was affected by the rains in spring and a summer that was not at all hot. The grapes needed to be carefully selected because they were heterogeneous and the health of the vineyard was affected. The right conditions for ripeness, colour and balance were finally achieved after thinning out the bunches of grapes, monitoring the vineyard and carefully selecting the grapes during the harvest.

CUESTA DE LAS LIEBRES 2007 · RESERVA 2007 · CRIANZA 2007

Harvesting started on 8 October and ended on 30 October. Harvesting was complicated. It was conditioned by the rains in May and those prior to harvesting which made keeping the vineyard healthy a demanding task. The parameters for colour and ripeness were achieved by the careful selection of grapes in the vineyard and in the wine cellar.

CRIANZA 2006

Harvesting took place between 13 September and 14 October. It was a very hot autumn. 10% were subjected to raisining. Harvesting began early but was slow and took a long time.

CUESTA DE LAS LIEBRES 2005 · RESERVA 2005 · CRIANZA 2005

Harvesting took place between 19 September and 17 October. The year was dry and hot with no frosts. The grapes needed to be thinned out. The vines growing cycle began 15 days early, as a result of this harvesting began early but was slow and took a long time.

CUESTA DE LAS LIEBRES 2004 · RESERVA 2004 · CRIANZA 2004

Climate conditions were ideal that year: A rainy spring and a dry summer. Harvesting took place between 29 September and 22 October. Low yield and excellent ripening.

CUESTA DE LAS LIEBRES 2003 · RESERVA 2003 · CRIANZA 2003

After an extremely hot summer harvesting took place between 22 September and 16 October. Yields of 3,500 Kg/Hectare, grapes weighing very little and overripe. Grapes were selected in the field, transported in boxes and placed on the selection table, where they were transferred to the fermentation tanks by gravity.

CRIANZA 2002

Harvesting began on 26 September without complications and with healthy grapes. From the beginning of October picking was interrupted by the rain and the grapes were affected by botrytis. This meant that the grapes had to be selected much more carefully and about 30% of production had to be left in the field. The grapes selected were healthy and showed excellent parameters for colour and ripeness.

CUESTA DE LAS LIEBRES 2001 · RESERVA 2001 · CRIANZA 2001

Yields were very low (2000 kg/hectare) after a hot, dry summer. The harvest was low in quantity but excellent in ripening and rich in sugar, possible the best quality grapes in recent years. Well balanced in acidity, content and colour.

CRIANZA 2000

The year 2000 surprised us with complex harvesting, which had a long duration and the picking phase began late, starting on 8 October and ending on 2 November after having been interrupted for several days because of the rain. During the selection process 50,000 kg of grapes were left unpicked because they did not reach the established level of quality. The grapes selected met all the requirements for ripeness, good colour and content and acidity balance.

CUESTA DE LAS LIEBRES 1999 · RESERVA 1999 · CRIANZA 1999

The harvest was long, complicated and late. All the necessary risks were taken to ensure that the grapes were ripe. It started on 12 October and ended on 2 November, with certain interruptions because of the rain.

RESERVA ESPECIAL CUM LAUDE 1998 · RESERVA 1998 · CRIANZA 1998

During the 1998 harvest it was very hot after a rainy period in September. It started on 13 October and ended on 28 October. The grapes selected were very healthy and showed excellent content/acidity parameters. They arrived at the fermentation tank almost untouched, without stems and not squashed.

CRIANZA 1997

In 1997 yields were low, about 3,000 kg/hectare. This is why the ripest grapes were selected for Pago de Carraovejas.

GRAN RESERVA 1996 · RESERVA 1996 · CRIANZA 1996

Climate conditions were ideal for grapevines in 1996. Harvesting took place between 2 and 12 October. The grapes picked were healthy and very ripe. They arrived at the fermentation tank almost untouched, without stems and not squashed.

GRAN RESERVA 1995 · RESERVA 1995 · CRIANZA 1995

Autumn was long and sunny and harvesting started in an orderly fashion on 2 October and perfectly ripe grapes were picked. Fermentation was slow and the pressing was a slow process to extract as much colour as possible.

CRIANZA 1994

After a summer that was especially hot and dry, ideal for our grapes, yields were low but of high quality and the fruit was subjected to a long pressing process. The result was a wine of intense colour, with a complex odour, enriched by oak, full of flavour and tannic, but balanced and with a lingering aftertaste.

CRIANZA 1993

Harvesting was staggered and started on 12 October. The grapes picked were healthy and perfectly ripe.

CRIANZA 1992

Harvesting took place from 1 to 22 October. It was slow and prolonged to enable the Cabernet Sauvignon and local red grapes to ripen, they were picked at between 10ºC and 15ºC.