Conde Valdemar - Balcon de Pilatos Maturana 2020

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Producer	Conde Valdemar
Country	Spain
Region	Rioja
Varietal	Maturana
Vintage	2020
Sku	20758
Size	750ml

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Balcón de Pilatos is one of our most iconic vineyards and is a prime site for growing the very distinctive, violet-scented Maturana, a grape variety that was lost in Rioja due to phylloxera during 1920-30, and luckily, recovered from 100+ year bush vines. After testing the variety in different soils, in 2001, we decided to plant Maturana in our 8.2-hectare Balcón de Pilatos vineyard, located in three differently-oriented terraces at a height of 500 meters in Rioja Alavesa. Its altitude, as well as its climatic and soil conditions, make it perfect for the cultivation of this enigmatic and rare variety that shines once again every time a bottle is opened.

Red cherry colour with deep violet hues. The Maturana grape’s distinctive and expressive character are showcased through complex and intense aromas of ripe black fruit with f ine notes of spices and licorice. Smooth, well-rounded entry with a nice grip followed by licorice and well-integrated toasty notes. Elegant, structured and full-bodied with a very long and pleasant finish. A great match for meats, especially lamb chops, rib eye steak, braised beef ribs and filet mignon. An ideal partner for stews, cured and semi-cured cheeses, cold meats, ahi-tuna, grilled mushrooms and chocolate desserts.

Dark and brooding with deep black fruit, graphite, chilies, chocolate, vanilla and black olives. Flavorful and pretty full-bodied with nicely chewy tannins and a long, tight-grained finish. Typical oak-aged maturana that needs some time to soften. Better in 2027.

The American oak seems to work well here, providing sweet notes and bacon smokiness while not dominating the wine. It has a certain Cabernet Franc character with coffee notes, cigar box and raspberry fruit, and a little bit of tannic grip on the finish.