Chozas Carrascal

Spain · DOP · España · -1 commune(s)

Styles

Natural factors

Altitude of 720 m near the Sierra Juan Navarro; prevailing northerly winds create two gorges to the NE and NW with high-speed gusts.
Continental climate with Mediterranean influence; rainfall of 350–400 l/year and more than 3,000 sunshine hours annually.
Basic-alkaline soils (pH 8–9), loam to clay-loam or sandy-loam texture, active limestone content between 7 and 21% depending on the zone.
A limestone layer at just 30 cm depth prevents deeper root penetration, limiting vine vigour and yield to fewer than 3 kg per vine.
A 6.5% slope promotes sun exposure and widens the diurnal temperature range in September–October, the ripening period.

Human factors

A pioneering zone in the comarca for non-native varieties (Cabernet, Syrah, Merlot, Chardonnay…), planted in 1992.
High planting density (up to 3,000 vines/ha vs. the usual 1,600) to restrict yields to under 4 kg per vine.

Product characteristics

Wines of high alcoholic strength (13.5–14.5%) with good acidity and mineral aromas, the result of wide diurnal temperature range and calcareous soils.
High tannin maturity and an earthy-mineral character, linked to the limestone layer at 30 cm that limits vigour and reduces yield.

Terroir / wine link

The limestone layer at 30 cm restricts roots and yield, generating mineral aromas, high tannin maturity, and an earthy character in the wine.

Facts drawn from the cahier's terroir-link section (Lien au terroir) by automatic interpretation — see the the specification.