Bodegas Vegalfaro Pago de los Balagueses

Pago de los Balagueses received a DOP ‘Vino de Pago’ qualification in 2011, a prestigious appellation that’s only been granted to twenty of Spain’s vineyard sites to date. The estate is also situated within walking distance of a historic site where the Iberians were cultivating vines as early as the 5th century BC. From the highest quality single vineyards on their estate (at an altitude of 780m), this is a wine of huge intensity, deep color and overall charm made from 45 year Garnacha Tintorera vines. An intriguing, complex bouquet offers a mass of dark autumnal, brambley fruit with hints of earth, leaf mulch and woodsmoke with subtle floral scents and a telling balsamic twist adding lift to the medley. Maturing for ten to twelve months in small oak barrels (70% new) and stirring of the lees in the barrel also adds to the palate richness. Bags of character, bags of flavor – this a real show stopper backed up by plenty of praise over the years too.

• 92 Points, Jamie Goode, ‘Organically farmed single vineyard that has been cultivated for a long time: wine was made here more than a thousand years ago. Made from the dyer Alicante Bouschet (known here as Garnacha Tintorera), this is ripe, dense and structured, with grippy tannins underlying sleek yet fresh blackberry and black cherry fruit. It’s modern without being over-ripe, showing good definition and structure. There’s some oak in the mix, but overall this is a well made, ageworthy wine of good intensity, and it needs a bit of time to reach a harmonious maturity.‘ WineAnorak.com, November 2018 (2016 vintage)
• Gold Medal, Sommelier Wine Awards 2019, ‘Deeply concentrated plum fruit, with a peppery edge, lovely structure and hints of black tea.‘ Laurent Richet MS; ‘Rich aromas of coffee, black fruit and herbs, a peppery palate and a long finish.’ Chiara Sieni; ‘Gamey, feral and intense; spiced black fruit with a hint of tea.‘ Sonal Clare; ‘It’s a hidden gem, designed for you to show off.‘ Timothy Connor (2016 vintage)
• 94 Points, JamesSuckling.com, ‘Rich dark plum, cocoa powder and dark chocolate, as well as a flinty, dark-stone edge. The palate is plump and fresh, exuding effortless, balanced power. Terrific, flavorsome, fresh red here.‘ August 2018 (2015 vintage)
• 92 Points, Wine Spectator Magazine, ‘Showing balance and depth, this red has flavors that are a bit reserved but deep, with black cherry, black olive, cocoa and mineral notes. Firm tannins and fresh acidity are well-integrated, yielding a seamless texture. Harmonious, in a savory style. Drink now through 2027. 1200 cases made.‘ Thomas Matthews, August 2018 (2015 vintage)
• 17/20, JancisRobinson.com, ‘Restrained but intriguing nose – smoke, violets, black cherry, leather. Rich and hearty without busting the block, and there’s a lovely grainy tannin firming up the finish. Ambitious and delicious. Drink 2017-2024.‘ Richard Hemming MW, October 2017 (2014 vintage)