Ermita del Conde Tempranillo 2017

Spain is one of the most renowned wine countries in the world. Tradition, innovation and unique terroirs define its wines. Castile and León, a region in the heart of Spain, offers ideal conditions for viticulture. Here, red wines with character and depth are created. »Ermita del Conde Tempranillo 2017« is an example of this. This Tempranillo combines tradition and modern winemaking, transporting you to the world of Spanish wines. The vineyards are located in a special landscape that offers optimal conditions for the ripening of the grapes.

Terroir of Castile and León

Castile and León is the largest wine-growing region in Spain. High-altitude plateaus, stony soils and a continental climate characterise the landscape. The region offers a unique terroir in which wines with a lot of character are created. Vineyards stretch across gentle hills and barren plains. Calcareous soils with clay and loam components provide support for the vines, store heat and cool down at night. This creates an ideal microclimate for the Tempranillo. The location west of the Ribera del Duero offers special conditions. Old vineyard parcels, surrounded by holm oaks, testify to a long tradition.

The vines root deeply in the soil and benefit from the extreme day-night temperature differences. During the day, temperatures rise to up to 40 °C, while at night they drop below 15 °C. This thermal tension promotes the concentration of aromas in the grapes, while a fresh acidity is preserved. The result is wines with a lot of structure and complexity. The region is known for its old vines, which produce grapes with intense fruit and deep aromas. The vineyards of Ermita del Conde are located at altitudes between 900 and 1,025 metres.

Wine Profile

»Ermita del Conde Tempranillo 2017« presents itself as a dry red wine with exceptional depth and complexity. The structure is powerful, but balanced. This Tempranillo from Castile and León is one of the most versatile of its kind and, as a Vino de la Tierra Castilla y León, enjoys a quality designation. Although it does not belong to the prestigious Denominación de Origen Ribera del Duero, it benefits from the same climatic conditions. Its proximity to this renowned area gives it outstanding quality.

The wine is characterised by its dark cherry colour with garnet reflections. The bouquet is intense and multi-layered. Aromas of dark berries, such as blackberry, blueberry and plum, dominate. Spicy liquorice, tobacco and a hint of herbs complete the picture. Subtle vanilla and coconut notes from the barrique ageing round off the bouquet. On the palate, the wine is dense and fleshy. The dark fruit is underlined by leather, caramel and a touch of honey. Distinct, but silky tannins and a fresh, mineral acidity provide structure and freshness.

Tempranillo Grape Variety

Tempranillo is Spain's flagship grape variety. It is versatile, adaptable and can produce everything from light to complex wines. In the high altitudes of Castile and León, it develops its own profile. The Tempranillo delivers aromas of dark berries, accompanied by liquorice, violet, leather and subtle vanilla notes. On the palate, it is juicy, almost fleshy, with a dense fruit structure. A fresh, mineral acidity and fine, well-integrated tannins provide balance.

This Tempranillo from the 2017 vintage benefited from a good year. Sufficient rain in the spring provided the vines with a good supply, while a dry, sunny autumn promoted sugar ripeness and aroma concentration. The cool nights preserved the acidity. In this way, the wine combines fruit, structure and freshness. The low yields – often less than 1,000 kg of grapes per hectare – are the result of the harsh conditions. The grapes are harvested by hand and carefully selected.

Production and Ageing

The Bodega Ermita del Conde is located on the edge of the Ribera del Duero. The winery does not follow the strict regulations of the D.O., which allows for its own approaches in winemaking. The vineyards cover 20 hectares, on which over 60 to 100-year-old Tempranillo vines grow. The maceration and fermentation take place in stainless steel tanks and concrete containers. The ageing takes place for 15 months in French barriques. This ageing period actually corresponds to the criteria for a Reserva classification, but the winery deliberately classifies the wine as a Crianza.

The malolactic fermentation in barriques contributes to the smoothness by converting the acidity into milder forms. This process gives the wine additional complexity. The decision for a Crianza classification underlines the approach of Ermita del Conde, in which quality comes before dogma. The bottle with a content of 0.75 l reflects the tradition. The label is characterised by a modern, geometric design. A white background with abstract red and grey lines recalls the hilly landscape. The name "ERMITA DEL CONDE" in black serif font conveys elegance.

Moments of Enjoyment

This powerful, but elegant Tempranillo is a perfect match for dark meat. Lamb, beef or game offer a harmonious combination. The tannins harmonise with the fat of the meat. It is also ideal with game dishes, such as venison loin or wild boar ragout. Mature cheese, such as Manchego or Idiazábal, complements the aromas of the wine. For a special occasion, a festive dinner or a cosy evening with friends, »Ermita del Conde Tempranillo 2017« is the right choice.

It also goes wonderfully with Mediterranean dishes. Fried lentils with bacon, mushroom risotto or grilled vegetables with olive oil and rosemary accentuate the savoury aromas. The wine is a versatile companion for culinary delights. A price of around 15 € makes it an attractive offer. Compared to Ribera del Duero wines of similar quality, it is significantly cheaper.

Conclusion

»Ermita del Conde Tempranillo 2017« is a masterpiece of balance. It combines strength, fruit and elegance in a harmonious way. The wine proves that quality does not always have to be tied to official appellations. Often, special wines are created in small, passionately run wineries. This Tempranillo is a secret tip for wine lovers, which can compete with the best wines of the Ribera del Duero. Anyone looking for complex, terroir-driven red wines will love this wine.