Dehesa del Carrizal

Spain · DOP · Castilla-La Mancha · 1 commune(s)

Styles

Natural factors

Acidic quartzite soils (pH 4.7–6), with up to 80% of the fraction >2 mm; quartzite gravels transported by the Carrizal stream.
Vineyard situated in a north-facing depression at approximately 800 m above sea level, with afternoon shade cast by a protective hill.
The Carrizal stream provides moisture and fog even in summer, generating an unusually Atlantic character within the surrounding Mediterranean environment.
The day-to-night temperature range favours slow ripening: up to 60 days from véraison to harvest in extreme years.
The surrounding Mediterranean scrubland (holm oaks, pines, heathers, rockroses, rosemary, thyme) shelters the vineyard from warm southerly winds.

Human factors

The vineyard, planted between 1987 and 1997, is trained on Cordon Royat; the 1998 plantings adopt Smart-Dyson, at a higher density (2,000 vines/ha). (via Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0)
Harvest may be delayed up to 60 days after véraison, owing to the altitude (~800 m) and the afternoon shade provided by the hill.

Product characteristics

Reds: ripe, silky tannins with no hot notes; whites: freshness and acidity higher than the surrounding area, with aromas of exotic fruit and white stone fruit.
Aromas of scrubland (thyme, rosemary, heather) and balsamic notes (pine), characteristic of the unusually Atlantic personality found in this zone.

Terroir / wine link

The acidic quartzite soil (pH 4.7–6) and afternoon shade produce elevated acidity, ripe tannins, and an Atlantic character that sets the site apart from its Mediterranean surroundings.

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