CaraNorte is named after the parcel in Valbuena de Duero, where the 100% Tempranillo grapes from which the wine is made are sourced. The organically grown vineyard “Parcela Cara Norte” is located at 840-880 m.a.s.l., on a north-facing slope with a slope of 15%. The cool conditions at this altitude help to ensure a long, stable ripening of grapes, which produces very aromatic, fruity and crisp wines. A classic, very stony subsoil also helps to ensure a good complexity and minerality, which can be clearly tasted in the wine.
The grapes are fermented in temperature-controlled steel tanks with the grapes’ own yeast cells, and after a spontaneous malolactic fermentation, the wine is matured for 14 months in small French wooden barrels, 30% of which are new. The bottling takes place after natural sedimentation and without filtration, in order to preserve the terroir character from the vineyard. Production is limited to 15,512 regular bottles and 206 magnum bottles.
CaraNorte has a beautiful, deep, ruby red color. The aroma is very fruity, with complex nuances of red and dark berries as well as marzipan and a bit of vanilla. In the taste you will find notes of blueberries and wild blackberries as well as a very nice, well-integrated wood character. A very successful Ribera del Duero, with the district’s classic spicy notes and a nice harmony between fruit, dryness and minerality.
It is well suited to lighter meat dishes such as poultry, pork or veal, but also to stronger dishes.
Bodegas Montebaco is located in the middle of Ribera del Duero, between Valbuena and Pesquera de Duero, east of Valladolid, just five kilometers from the Duero River itself. The vineyards (Monte Alto) lie at an altitude of 800 to 850 m. and enjoy a very special climate combination, where the altitude and the Jaramiel wind flow cool the area. This provides cool nights and thus longer maturing conditions, something that gives a good freshness and finesse to the wine. The wind also means that the vines and grapes are dried between the rows and that diseases and fungal attacks are prevented. In this way, you can practice more gentle cultivation without the use of chemical substances.
In 1989, Daniel Esteban planted approx. 20 ha. Tinto Fino (Tempranillo). The current vineyard consists of approx. 50 ha. vineyards planted with Tinto Fino, Merlot and Verdejo, and a further 20 ha. is under planting. The first wine was vinified in 1994 in a brand new Bodegas with all the modern facilities you need to make top wines. Since 1997, César Muñoz has been making the wines.
