Cuesta de las Liebres 2021
The pinnacle of Ribera del Duero in an unrepeatable vintage
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Cuesta de las Liebres 2021 is born on an extreme hillside, with a slope of over 30% and soils of marl limestone and calcareous salts.
Produced only in unique harvests, it is the result of radical and respectful viticulture, where nature and man interact in harmony.
A red wine from Pago de Carraovejas that reflects the complexity, depth, and elegance of one of the great landscapes of Ribera del Duero.
General features
General Information
Cuesta de las Liebres 2021 is the most iconic single-vineyard wine from Pago de Carraovejas, crafted exclusively in exceptional vintages. The 2021 harvest was marked by a rainy winter that promoted vegetative balance and allowed for a homogeneous development of the vineyard. Budding occurred at the end of April, without any climatic or health issues, and yields were adjusted through thinning to achieve maximum quality. The vineyard, planted in 1994 on a slope of over 30%, is surrounded by a pine forest that provides protection and enhances biodiversity in the environment.
The harvest of Cuesta de las Liebres 2021 was carried out manually, with a first selection in the vineyard and a double sorting table in the winery. After destemming, the berries were transferred by gravity to small wooden vats, where alcoholic and malolactic fermentations took place spontaneously, respecting the terroir's personality to the fullest. The wine remained for 24 months in new French oak barrels of extra-fine grain, refining until achieving exceptional structure and complexity.
The uniqueness of this 3.19-hectare plot of tinto fino (tempranillo) is reflected in every glass. The result is a deep, powerful, and elegant wine that expresses the essence of the hillside and the commitment of Pago de Carraovejas to nature, the terroir, and the history of Ribera del Duero. Cuesta de las Liebres 2021 is an age-worthy red wine, designed to captivate lovers of great wines.
Tasting notes
Intense and bright cherry red color.
On the nose, it reveals great complexity, with notes of ripe black fruit, spices, mineral hints, and balsamic nuances.
On the palate, it is powerful, structured, and long, with polished tannins and a persistent finish where the mineral echoes and the freshness of the vintage reappear.
The winery
Pago de Carraovejas is a true icon in Ribera del Duero. Its great achievement lies in the fact that everyone wants to taste its wines: they appeal to the general public while also holding a place in the Olympus of 'cult wines.' This winery is the realization of José María Ruiz's dream. Trained as a sommelier, he opened his own restaurant in Segovia in 1982—Restaurante José María—earning recognition for the exquisite quality of his roasted suckling pig. Shortly after, he conceived the idea of producing a wine in Ribera del Duero to pair with his signature dish and, with the support of a group of wine-loving Segovians, launched the Pago de Carraovejas project in 1987, choosing the slopes of Carraovejas in Peñafiel as the location, a spot traditionally recognized for the excellent ripening of its fruits.
Thus, on an estate located in the heart of the D.O. Ribera del Duero, a project was born that in 1991 produced its first vintage, crafted from 5 initial hectares of vineyards. Moreover, Pago de Carraovejas marked a milestone in the appellation, as it was a pioneer in incorporating 25% cabernet sauvignon in its wines when the prevailing trend gave absolute prominence to the tinto fino (tempranillo) grape; additionally, it was a forerunner in the use of French oak for aging. From its early days, prestige accompanied a winery that, over the years, has expanded and improved its vineyards and facilities. Since 2013, Pago de Carraovejas, under the ownership of the Ruiz family, has also been the proprietor of another unique winery: Ossian, dedicated to producing verdejo whites in Nieva (Segovia).
Thus, on an estate located in the heart of the D.O. Ribera del Duero, a project was born that in 1991 produced its first vintage, crafted from 5 initial hectares of vineyards. Moreover, Pago de Carraovejas marked a milestone in the appellation, as it was a pioneer in incorporating 25% cabernet sauvignon in its wines when the prevailing trend gave absolute prominence to the tinto fino (tempranillo) grape; additionally, it was a forerunner in the use of French oak for aging. From its early days, prestige accompanied a winery that, over the years, has expanded and improved its vineyards and facilities. Since 2013, Pago de Carraovejas, under the ownership of the Ruiz family, has also been the proprietor of another unique winery: Ossian, dedicated to producing verdejo whites in Nieva (Segovia).