Knocking on Vega Sicilia's door
Pago de Valdemonjas - Ribera del Duero
1997 was the year that Alejandro Moyano (originally an agronomist) bought Pago de Valdemonjas, a stone's throw the famed Vega Sicilia.
A year later he planted vines on his 7.1 hectares, but due to being involved in other projects didn’t start making wine from them until his winery was built in 2014, their first vintage was from the same year. He makes four wines exclusively from tinto fino (tempranillo), as well as two limited edition wines in magnum only, the vineyards are farmed organically and his wines are certified organic.
The winery at Valdemonjas is an extraordinary, prizewinning building, its roof is inclined to allow collection of rain-water in underground tanks, the roof also has solar panels, and ventilation ducts that dispense with the need for air conditioning. It is completely unconnected to outside water and electricity supplies.
The fruit for Entre Palabras – Between Words – comes from a plot neighbouring the vineyards of Vega Sicilia, isolated by the slopes of the second terrace of the Duero. Spending 18 months in French and American oak, it shows an understated power, interlaced with exceptional elegance and delicacy. Muscular and concentrated red berry fruit and nuanced black cherry is interwoven with sublimely integrated silky tannin, superbly aromatic kirsch and violet aromas.
