Patria Chica Vino de Pago 2023 (Spain)

Description

Chocolate, Oak, Spice

“This is opulent and seductive with aromas of dark berries, star anise, cured meat, mushrooms, hazelnuts, and pressed flowers. It's concentrated on the palate, delivering outstanding depth and richness, while remaining balanced and graceful with a sustained, complex finish. At its best: now to 2033” Sam Kim, Wine Orbit

“A wine that always reflects the ‘old-world’ with texture, earthiness, complexity and natural power with aromas and flavours of dried berries and preserves, date, dried clay, spice layers from older barrels and a mix of dried herbs. Dry and delicious on the palate with a VG structure from tannins and acidity then fruit and spice layers. Green coffee bean, cinnamon and dried clay with a dried rose floral quality. An easy drink and a decent buy for the price” Cameron Douglas, Master Sommelier

“Pago Aylés exemplifies the pinnacle of Spanish single-estate winemaking, delivering complex reds with silky structure and Mediterranean charm” Tim Atkin, Master of Wine

“Pago Aylés crafts exceptional Vino de Pago wines that showcase Aragón’s unique terroir with remarkable elegance and concentration” Decanter Magazine

35% Garnacha, 26% Tempranillo, 23% Merlot, 16% Cabernet Sauvignon.

Pago Aylés holds the prestigious Vino de Pago designation, the highest classification in Spanish wine law. As the only Vino de Pago in the Aragón region (and one of just 27 wineries in the whole of Spain), it represents a singular estate with distinctive terroir, located approximately 30 km from Zaragoza at the foot of the Sistema Iberico Mountain range. Patria Chica, means literally the "small homeland." This wine project of the Ramón Reula family began its journey in the 1980s and ended with the reunification of various properties that once belonged to the so-called Finca Aylés dating back to the Middle Ages and first mentioned by Alfonso I in 1120.

Aylés’ has extreme weather conditions – during summer, there is a fluctuation of over 20ºC between day and night temperatures - which enables the wines to retain freshness and drinkability despite their innate power. The unique terroir is influenced by the Huerva river with plots of exceptional soils - pudding stones and clay with a high calcium component that brings energy to the wines. The estate is certified organic. Grapes are harvested in the cool of night just 10minutes away from the winery. After cold pre-fermentation maceration Tempranillo and Merlot are co-fermented first, and afterwards, the fermentation of Garnacha and Cabernet Sauvignon also take place at the same time. After temperature-controlled fermentation with indigenous yeasts, malolactic fermentation takes place in French oak casks with 5 months maturation.

Food Pairing: Perfect with rich slow-cooked dishes, mushroom risotto, and a wide variety of meat and cheese.