Several centuries of family tradition, the fashionable grape variety, old vines in a privileged area and the masterful hand of winemaker José Hidalgo – this red has all the ingredients for success. Castroviejo Garnacha 2022 was grown on old vineyards on the Finca Buitrago estate located on the slopes of Mount Yerga, and has been aged in oak for 6 months.
Consumption features
Serving temperature
Consumption time
General features
Type of wine
Region
Grape variety
100% Garnacha tinta
Type of barrel
American and French oak barrels
Type of bottle
Burgundy
Barrel aging time
6 months
Capacity (cl)
75
Alcohol content (% vol.)
13.5
General Information
Castroviejo Garnacha 2023 comes from a warm year that turned out to be balanced with a harvest of very good quality. It was grown on old Garnacha vines located on the Finca Buitrago estate on the slopes of Mount Yerga in deep, low-yielding, pebbly calcareous-clay soils. When the grapes were fully ripe, they were harvested at night to keep them cool.
Following gentle destemming and pressing, the grapes underwent alcoholic fermentation in small tanks, controlling maceration by means of careful pumping-over to ensure good colour extraction and smooth, ripe tannins. After malolactic fermentation the resulting wine was aged for 6 months in American and French oak barrels, followed by a further 6 months in the bottle to mature it to perfection.
Bodegas Pastor Díaz was started up in 1994 in Aldeanueva del Ebro by the family of Gonzalo Pastor and Blanca Díaz, who boast a century of grape-growing experience. Generation after generation, they have chosen the best terroirs and now control more than 100 hectares of vineyards more than 30 years old, mostly located in the foothills of Mount Yerga, in one of the most coveted areas of the D.O.Ca. Rioja. The grapes were picked at their ripest, according to location and altitude. The winery recently hired one of the most celebrated Spanish winemakers: José Hidalgo.
Castroviejo Garnacha 2022 (D.O.Ca. Rioja) is ideal with haricot bean stew or char-grilled fillet of Ibérico pork.
Creators' opinion
Attractive ruby-red colour with very subtle glints of brick red in the rim. Intense aromas of red fruits (raspberry and cassis) with hints of wild herbs that blend perfectly with the oaky background dominated by spices (clove and cinnamon). Vibrant, very fresh attack with pleasant acidity, balanced, flavoursome, smooth tannins, good length and a finish full of subtle aromatic notes.
The winery
Pastor Díaz is a family-owned winery located in the Rioja town of Aldeanueva del Ebro. The family has been dedicated to viticulture for several centuries, and interestingly, the last four generations have been led by men with the same name: Gonzalo Pastor. Over time, the family has acquired the best types of soils, altitudes, and the most optimal orientations for their vineyards. In the winery, there is maximum respect for traditional winemaking. Their range of wines includes young reds, crianzas, reservas, gran reservas, and an organic wine, and it is composed of three brands: Castroviejo, Valdejimena, and Castro Real.
Currently, Bodegas Pastor Díaz manages around 130 hectares of vineyards located mainly on the slopes of Mount Yerga, one of the most exclusive areas for vine cultivation in the D.O.Ca. Rioja. Seventy percent of the vines are grown on trellises, while the remaining 30% are cultivated in the traditional bush vine method. The vineyard's altitude ranges between 350 and 600 meters. The winery primarily cultivates tempranillo, along with a small amount of garnacha and graciano.