Hacienda Monasterio 2018

Hacienda Monasterio Crianza is a red from Bodegas Hacienda Monasterio in the D.O. Ribera del Duero. Hacienda Monasterio is one of the great wineries of Ribera del Duero, run by Peter Sisseck, the well-known Danish winemaker who created Pingus, one of the best Spanish wines in history.

The winery's vineyards are also in a privileged part of the D.O., between Pesquera and Valbuena del Duero. This is the famous "golden mile", known for its exceptional terroir and for having some of Spain's best wineries around it.

Hacienda Monasterio Crianza is made from Tinto Fino (Ribera's most representative variety), complemented by a small percentage of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. The grapes come from a single estate with very calcareous soils that give the wine great finesse and elegance. The south-facing vineyards also favour ripening, and low yields give great aromatic capacity and highly concentrated must.

The vineyard is farmed organically, with no pesticides, herbicides or chemical fertilisers that could harm the environment. In this way the soil's natural biological activity is kept intact, allowing the vineyard to express the true identity of its surroundings.

The grapes are picked entirely by hand and taken to the winery in small plastic crates. Once there, only the bunches in the best condition are selected. For Hacienda Monasterio Crianza, after complete destemming, the grapes macerate for 24 days, followed by fermentation with only the vineyard's own natural yeasts.

After vinification, Hacienda Monasterio Crianza spends 17 months in Allier French oak barrels (30% new and 70% three-wine barrels), with racking every 3 months.