Chafandín 2001

El Quiñón Estate – Pesquera de Duero – D.O. Ribera del Duero

Red

100% Tempranillo (Tinto Fino).

Fermentation : 7 days in 5,500-litre tanks.
Maceration time: 15 days in 5,500-litre tanks.
Ageing: 18 months in new, 300-litre, French oak barrels.
Bottled in May 2003

12,672 x 750 ml
Sold in 750ml bottles and 1,500ml Magnum bottles
Best served at: 16- 18 ºC
Alcohol content: 14 º

Chafandín develops the concept of “terroir wine”, expressing the unique nature of the grapes located in Chafandín Vineyard, in our El Quiñón Estate. Chafandín is elaborated by selecting the finest grapes in the vine, and then making a second selection in the winery. There, we ferment this selection in small tanks before going to the barrel ageing in new French oak. Previously, it goes through malolactic fermentation also in oak. This wine convincingly expresses the varietal nature in Chafandín vineyard, and it is strengthened and complemented by its cask ageing, which gives it mineral hints combined with mint and low Mediterranean wood aspects acquired from the pebbly soil of its terroir. - Geological notes: It is located in the western part of the estate, sectors numbered 1,2,3,4,5 and 7, in our official working map. Variety planted is Tempranillo, with different guyot conductions. Its extension is 15.013 hectares. Average age of the vines is 35 years ( updated 2007 ). It has a big range of soils, both in surface and in depth, all of them originated by the banks and terraces typical of this vineyard, although we can regroupe them in two types:

1 - First soil type is about 70% of the vineyard, with a slope from 2% till 10%, mainly south oriented, with undulate surfaces. Pebbles on the surface are quite spread. Surface colour goes from dark brown till orangeish brown. They are deep soils, well drained, with a depth close to 80 centimetres. Containts in argile vary, but are usually about 15%, and may arrive until 30%. PH is moderately basic or slightly alkaline, and doesn’t show salty hints. Organic compounds levels and nutritive facts are low, while carbonate levels oscilate between low until moderately high.

2 - Second soil type is the other 30% of the vineyard, and it is located in the upper parts. They are soils with a working depth of no more than 30 centimetres. Its slopes also go from 2% till 10%, and are south oriented, although they don’t show any pebbles on the surface, but some chalky areas. Surface colour is nearly white, whith argile-frank or argile composition. Levels of organic material and nutritive facts are low and show a basic PH and high calcic carbonate levels, which makes that the extractable iron percentage becomes low. It has a low capacity of water retention.