
Winery: Conde de San Cristobal
Country / Region: Spain, Ribera del duero
Date Winery was established: 2001
Grape Variety: Tinta Fina (Tempranillo) 100%
Alcohol Content / Volume: 14% / 750ml
First Vintage Released: 1999
Ratings: Top 10 from 100 Ribera del Duero Wines by Tim Atkin / 92 pts. GuÃa PeñÃn
Decanting Time: decant for one and half hour and serve at 18°C.
Our suggestion for decanting time is based on bottles we tried at Txanton over 2020. We guarantee Txanton stocks are imported and maintained on a proper storage with right temperature and humidity.
Good to know: Conde of San Cristóbal is one of the noble titles of Pelayo de la Mata becoming part of the group since 2001. Their wines were served to Michelle and Barack Obama during a reception in Havana, Cuba and in fact, this wine is one of the most international wines from Marques de Vargas Group. The winery was named in honor of the first Count of San Cristóbal, who was a civil judge (OYDOR) of the Royal Chancery of the Court of Valladolid. It was built in the middle of the 80-hectare property Pago de Valdestremero, a historic estate recognized for its excellent grape growing conditions.
It is important to mention that the vineyard from Conde de San Cristobal is in the process of organic certification and that their technical team, led by winemaker Jorge Peique, counts with the advice of the prestigious viti-enological consultants Xavier Ausás (former wine maker of Vega Sicilia) and David Pernet.
The term "Reserva Especial" was given for two reasons. Firstly, because the wine is matured in barrels for a longer period than that stipulated by the DO Regulations (20 months for our Reserva Especial) and, secondly, because the grapes are sourced from the highest altitude plot in the property.
Also, it is worth mentioning that this wine is only produced on the best vintages and in very limited quantities. Only 7000 bottles on average. This 2015 has deep cherry red color, with a garnet rim. Pronounced and complex on the nose, with black fruit and red fruit aromas, with spicy and toasted notes. In the mouth it is flavourful, silky, and round, with polished tannins, a fresh, mineral background, and a long aftertaste.
Marqués de Vargas Family Vineyards & Cellars is a saga of four generations devoted to the production and commercialization of single-estate wines in the most prestigious wine areas in Spain, with current states in D.O.Ca Rioja, D.O. Ribera del Duero and D.O. RÃas Baixas. Noble wines from a solid family project, the outcome of the commitment, the tenacity and vision of generations devoted to wine-making.