Viña Pilar Clarete 2022

Wine Description for Viña Pilar Clarete 2022 by Felix Callejo

Colour & Appearance

Seductive salmon pink in the glass, luminous and clear – a visual harbinger of the elegance to come.

Nose

Expressive and multi-layered: floral notes meet red berries, underpinned by a fine minerality that lends depth to the wine. The freshness is sensual, balanced, positively magnetic.

Palate

Here the true class of this Clarete reveals itself. Silky-fine tannins – yes, tannins in a rosé! – meet a vibrant acidity structure that, despite 14% alcohol, never feels intrusive. The red fruit of Tempranillo merges with the invigorating freshness of Albillo Mayor into a harmonious whole. Texture and body are remarkable for a rosé in this category.

Finish

Elegant and persistent, with lovely length. The minerality returns and leaves a refreshing, dry aftertaste.

Terroir & Origin

The grapes come from two vineyard sites at over 900 metres altitude on the plateau above the Duero Valley – cool locations that are increasingly gaining significance in the face of climate change. This elevation bestows the wine its remarkable freshness and precision.

Grape Variety & Vinification

A 50/50 blend of Tempranillo (locally Tinto Fino) and the white indigenous variety Albillo Mayor. The grapes were co-fermented spontaneously – a bold decision that pays off. Ageing took place for 14 months on fine lees in concrete eggs and 500-litre oak barrels, giving the wine structure without oak dominance.

Food Pairing Suggestions

Grilled tuna, salmon tartare, salads with walnuts and vinaigrette, goat’s cheese, Jamón Ibérico, but also a delight with light paella variations or sushi.

Special Features

This Clarete is a homage to an almost forgotten tradition of Ribera del Duero. Felix Callejo impressively demonstrates that the region is capable of far more than just powerful red wines. A rosé with substance, character and ageing potential – a rarity in this category.