Parajes de Callejo 2016 – Felix Callejo

At the age of 16, Félix Callejo had to take over the winery after the sudden death of his father. Together with his wife Pilar, he raised the wines of the Ribera del Duero to a new level, which condensed in 1989 in the foundation of the current estate. Today, the winery in the province of Burgos is run by their four children. The wines thrive at altitudes between 830-950 metres above sea level, which, combined with the resulting temperature amplitudes and the lean sandy and limestone soils, gives the region the best conditions for elegant and fine Ribera wines. The Parajes de Callejo is a blend of 95% Tinto Fino and 5% white Albillo Mayor, which is traditionally blended to stabilise the colour. The wine from around 25-year-old vines was aged for 12 months in French oak and corresponds to a crianza in terms of quality.

Dark ruby red with violet reflections.

Expressive and powerful, the nose combines fully ripe fresh fruits such as dark berries, black cherries and elderberry with dried fruit, dark chocolate and mild spices. Juniper, allspice and black pepper remind of winter game dishes, the slightly smoky note symbolizes the morning clearing including hunting party. Despite all concentration and density, a pleasantly fresh-fruity and light-footed Crianza.

On the palate, the fruit of the 2016 Parajes de Callejo by Félix Callejo shows its juicy side and never loses sight of the freshness. Black cherries, plums and blueberries do the fruit work, supported by solid tannin engineering. Fine-grained and enormously tightly woven, the tannins attest to the wine's modern construction without denying its origins and tradition. With good thrust on the palate and violet-velvety feel, it oscillates between fruity-joyful and serious new-school.