Conde Pinel Old Vines is made by a leading winemaker from the Iberian Peninsula. Hammeken Cellars is responsible for a wide range of wines. Since the mid-1990s, they have dominated Spanish viticulture. They carefully examine each grape individually to determine where it best flourishes. This is also why the winery operates in no fewer than 18 different regions. For this Conde Pinel Old Vines, they chose to give a starring role to Tempranillo, which grows in the sun-drenched Castilla-La Mancha.
The name "Old Vines" comes from the vines. The Tempranillo grapes for this Conde Pinel Old Vines grow on vines that are at least 30 years old. Because the vines are older, the yield is lower, but the quality is all the higher. Therefore, with Conde Pinel Old Vines, we are dealing with the superlative of Conde Pinel wines.
Tempranillo can almost be called the pride of Spanish winemaking. It became particularly famous in the Rioja region, but has now become an essential part of vineyards throughout Spain. After harvest, under the winemaker's supervision, these Tempranillo grapes are pressed and fermented. They are then aged briefly, approximately four months, in French oak. This allows Conde Pinel Old Vines to appear to evolve: think spicy notes of coffee beans and delicate spices. This is framed by full-bodied blueberries, black cherries, and fresh blackberries. The almost perpetual finish is striking.
