Pago de Los Balagueses is Vegalfaro’s top-echelon wine brand, entirely sourced from one of only seventeen wine estates in Spain awarded the DOP Vino de Pago designation to date. Spain’s “vino de pago” system is an appellation structure that was legally created in 2003 by the Spanish government, in coordination with Spain’s winemaking community, to indicate a higher qualification of excellence than DO or even the top-level DOCa. It is comparable to the French-wide Grand Cru system.
VARIETALS 100% Syrah
VINTAGE 2018
TECHNICAL DATA Alcohol 14.5%Total acidity 5.6 g/l
APPEARANCE Deep ruby red with purple highlights.
NOSE The nose displays strong aromatic intensity of red and black mature fruit, with violet floral notes and subtle balsamic and Asian spice deriving from the oak.
PALATE On the palate, abundant fruit character of black and red cherries provides creamy complexity, with fine grained tannins. Well-balanced wine, structured yet elegant with a fine sustained finish.
AGEING 10 months in French oak barrels (70% new, 30% used);6 months in bottle before release.
PAIRING Lamb shoulder, sausages, Manchego cheese.
READINESS FOR DRINKING Drink or hold.
Ratings:
Vivino 4.1
https://www.vivino.com/vegalfaro-pago-de-los-balagueses-syrah/w/2802810?year=2018
JamesSuckling 96 Points
Forbes Magazine – Wine of The Year