Pago Finca Élez Chardonnay Barrica

Description

Pago Finca Élez Chardonnay Barrica is a standout Spanish take on barrel-fermented Chardonnay. This limited edition release is an elegant and complex Spanish white wine from the high-altitude organic vineyards of Finca Élez.

Pago Finca Élez Chardonnay Barrica

100% Chardonnay grapes come from the estate’s “La Vieja” plot of vines which are located at an altitude of around 1000 meters above sea level. The vineyard is situated on sandy clay loam soils on a limestone base. The unique terroir, the conjunction of traditional and artisanal methods with advanced technology, results in superb quality, singular and exclusive wines.

The grapes are harvested in the early morning. They undergo a careful selection and are processed immediately after their short journey from the vineyards to the winery. The wines are aged in French oak barrels from Allier, Nevers and Troncais.

Winemaking

• Destemming and maceration 100% Chardonnay grapes are destemmed and undergo skin maceration at 15°C for 8–9 hours.
• Pressing Only free-run and gently pressed juice is used (pressure below 0.8 bar).
• Static settling The must is statically settled for 36 hours.
• Fermentation Alcoholic fermentation takes place at temperatures below 17°C in French oak foudres and barrels.
• Ageing The wine is aged on its fine lees for 7 months with regular bâtonnage to enhance smoothness and complexity.

Pago Finca Elez, Established 1992

Pago Finca Elez was founded by Spanish theatre producer and director Manuel Manzaneque in 1992. The estate is located in the municipality of El Bonillo, in the province of Albacete (Castile-La Mancha, Spain). It is situated at an altitude of approximately 1080 metres above sea level in the midst of a protected 1000-year-old juniper forest.

Grandes Pagos de España & DO Finca Elez

The estate was awarded the Designation of Origin “Finca Elez”. It was recognised as a Grandes Pagos de España in July 2002 by the government of Castilla-La Mancha, the first single estate in Spain to earn this designation (alongside Marqués de Griñón). The estate suffered a period of decline during the 2010s.

Acquisition By The Villoldo Ruiz Family

Most recently, the estate was acquired by the Villoldo Ruiz family, who are from the local area. The family has undertaken a program of renovation and improvement, with the intention of continuing the estate’s proud legacy of producing organic, high-quality wines. The winemakers are Javier García Alonso, Miguel Ángel Benito and Carlos Sánchez.

International Grape Varieties

The estate is planted with a mix of Spanish and international grape varieties, including Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Merlot, Tempranillo, Viognier and Chardonnay. The vineyard area covers approximately 40 hectares, and the vineyards are planted on poor, infertile, stony soils with clay deposits on limestone. The climate is continental with very hot summers, with large diurnal temperature variation and relatively cold winters.