Castillo Armado Tempranillo Reserva 2016

Castillo Armado Tempranillo Reserva 2016

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Description

Castillo Armado RESERVA 2016

Denominación de Origen (D.O.) Campo de Borja, Spain

Castillo Armado pays homage to the armed fortresses, built in the late 8th century atop the large rocks of Spain’s central plains. Some of our vines date back to the year of our winery’s foundation in 1958 and their precious grapes are blended with those of our younger vines. Our ancient bush vines are accustomed to Borja’s arid climate of near-desert heat and fiercely dry winds, producing uncommonly concentrated fruit.

85% Tempranillo / 15% Garnacha

The soils are loose and rocky, with excellent aeration and drainage.  There is some limestone and low levels of organic material.

The grapes were picked by hand in October, from our younger trellised vines and our unsupported bush vines (the average age of the vines at time of harvest was 35 years). Slow fermentation at controlled temperatures (20-22°C) helps to preserve and develop the naturally fruit-driven intensity of the grapes before the wine is decanted into 225 litre oak barrels to begin the ageing process in our temperature-controlled ageing cellar (see more information on this below).

Alcoholic fermentation is followed by delicate filtration and fining before the wine is aged in semi-new French and American oak. After bottling, the wine is laid down prior to release.

ABV: 14% Total Acidity: 5.1 g/l. Total Sugars: <2 g/l.

Will improve with age over the next 3-5 years.

Castillo Armado Reserva’s ripe berry flavours are coupled with hints of smooth vanilla and rich cocoa, which was imparted by the French and American oak barrels in which the wine has matured. The aromas are coupled by a rich, smooth, and lush texture, a good structure, and a well-rounded, mouth-filling finish. The oak-ageing is just long enough to add beautifully mellow hints of vanilla, without overpowering the ripe fruit aromas and typical fresh spiciness of Borja’s old vines.

“Locals enjoy Castillo Armado with the gloriously tender local suckling pig and with local dried sausages, such as chorizo and secallona. I enjoy it with roast vegetables and the occasional fillet steak.”

Our 500-year-old ageing cellar was cut deep into the mountain by our ancestors, and it now houses the French and American oak barrels used to age our top cuvées.  Our winery was named the “Best Winery in Aragón” by the Academia.  Aragonesa de Gastronomía. 

--------THE PRODUCER--------

Artiga Fustel

Artiga was founded in Spain’s Vilafranca del Penedès in 2002, by an international team of young, but highly experienced wine professionals, headed by Martí Quer. The desire to breathe a fresh lease of life into the production and marketing of Spain’s greatest natural resource sees the artiga team assume a New-World approach to consumer-focus and simplicity, in developing high-value, modern Spanish wines. 

--------THE GRAPE--------

Tempranillo

Tempranillo is one of the most important grape varietals in all of Spain where you might also know it as Tinto Fino - like it is in Portugal. Most notably it is the leading grape of Rioja's red blend where it was traditionally quite an oaky and spicy red wine. In Ribera del Duero, it arguably, comes into its own as it doesn't see as much oak so that you can truly get to see its lively red fruit flavours. You will also find Tempranillo across Portugal's vineyards perhaps most notably in the Douro Valley where it is a key member of the Port blend.

--------THE REGION--------

Spain

The spicy and savoury reds of Rioja to the refreshing and zesty sparkling wines of Cava or the nutty fortified wines of Sherry, there are many wines to explore in Spain.