Several centuries of a family winemaking tradition, the fashionable grape variety, old vines in a privileged area and the masterful hand of winemaker José Hidalgo are the secrets of Castroviejo Reserva 2018. A Reserva based on the traditional Rioja blend of Tempranillo, Graciano and Mazuelo.
Consumption features
Serving temperature
Consumption time
General features
Type of wine
Region
Grape variety
10% Graciano, 85% Tempranillo, 5% Mazuelo
Type of barrel
American and French oak barrels
Barrel aging time
16 months
Capacity (cl)
75
Alcohol content (% vol.)
13.5
General Information
Castroviejo Reserva 2018 is the result of a classic Rioja blend: Tempranillo (85%), Graciano (10%) and Mazuelo (5%). The vineyard is located on the slopes of Mount Yerga, with deep, low-yielding pebbly calcareous-clay soils. Harvesting was carried out at night to ensure a low temperature of the grapes and fully preserve the aromas.
The grapes were destemmed and carefully pressed. Fermentation took place in small vats, controlling maceration by means of pumping over to ensure a good extraction of colour and soft, ripe tannins. Malolactic fermentation. The wine was finally aged for 18 months in American and French oak barrels and for a further 12 months in the bottle.
Bodegas Pastor Díaz was started up in 1994 in Aldeanueva del Ebro by the family of Gonzalo Pastor and Blanca Díaz, with a century-long track record of grape growing. Generation after generation, they have selected the best terroirs and now control more than 100 hectares of vineyards. The grapes are harvested at their optimum moment, taking into account the location and altitude of the vineyards. The winery recently hired one of the most renowned winemakers on the Spanish scene: José Hidalgo.
Castroviejo Reserva 2018 (D.O.Ca. Rioja) is ideal with game dishes such as venison stew.
Creators' opinion
Deep cherry-red colour with some brick-red hues. Intense aromas of fresh and jammy black fruit (blackberry and plum) with well-integrated notes from French and American oak (coconut and vanilla) and spicy undertones from its maturation in the bottle (clove, cinnamon and tobacco). Very refined, round, long and balanced palate with notes of liquorice characteristic of Tempranillo, soft tannins and a pleasant, fully aromatic finish.
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.