Pago de los Capellanes : El Picon 2020

Tasting characteristics and recommendations for El Picón 2020 from Pago de los Capellanes

Tasting

Color
The wine displays a deeply pigmented ruby hue, typical of a low-yield Tempranillo. Cardinal highlights at the rim of the glass attest to the fruit’s exceptional concentration.

Nose
The bouquet reveals layered complexity with intense aromas of red and black woodland fruits: cherries, redcurrants, blackcurrants and blackberries. Balsamic nuances accompany these fruity notes, while spicy touches of cinnamon, clove and black licorice gradually emerge. The nose also unfolds floral and herbal dimensions, with aromas of blueberry, sandalwood, floral incense and heather.

Palate
On the palate, this wine offers a medium- to full-bodied profile with a fleshy texture. The tannic structure shows finesse and softness, a sign of perfectly controlled extraction. The acidic balance remains vibrant and fresh, sustaining an elegance that contrasts with the wine’s natural alcoholic warmth. The finish is generous and persistent, with flavors continuing to resonate long after swallowing.

Food and wine pairings
El Picón 2020 pairs beautifully with grilled red meats, especially rare or medium-rare steaks. Roast lamb is also a classic match, ideally complementing the wine’s spicy and balsamic nuances. Game meats such as venison or wild boar find an harmonious partner in this Tempranillo. For non-meat accompaniments, aged cheeses such as mature Manchego or Mahón offer interesting flavor contrasts. Dishes featuring rare mushrooms or black truffle create a subtle harmony with the wine.

Serving and cellaring
El Picón 2020 is best served between 16 and 18°C. Aeration for one hour before serving, either by simply uncorking or by decanting, can heighten aromatic expression. This wine is made for very long aging and can retain its optimal qualities for at least 15 years. For ideal storage, keep bottles in a cool, dark environment between 12 and 14°C, laid horizontally.

A single-vineyard Tempranillo expressing the excellence of Ribera del Duero

The estate
Founded in 1996 by Paco Rodero and Conchita Villa in Pedrosa de Duero, Pago de los Capellanes embodies three generations of commitment to the authentic expression of the Ribera del Duero terroir. The bodega takes its name from a story dating back to the fifteenth century, when vineyard plots were granted to local chaplains. Now run by Estefanía Rodero Villa, the estate remains entirely family-owned. Pago de los Capellanes’ philosophy is rooted in absolute respect for terroir, sustainable viticulture and low-intervention winemaking, prioritizing quality over quantity.

The vineyard
El Picón comes from a single 1.6-hectare plot located in Pedrosa de Duero, in the heart of the Denominación de Origen Ribera del Duero. This outstanding terroir lies in Castile-León. This remarkable plot—whose name means “the corner,” referring to its position at the bend of a cypress-lined path—is home to century-old vines. The clay-silt soil with a gravelly surface has extremely low fertility, forcing the vine to produce an exceptional concentration. Ribera del Duero’s extreme continental climate is marked by striking day-night temperature swings, with variations that can reach 20°C during the ripening period, encouraging the accumulation of sugars and polyphenols while preserving natural acidity.

The vintage
The 2020 vintage benefited from favorable weather conditions, enabling optimal grape ripening. Harvesting was carried out by hand and with strict selection, with close monitoring of the plot including sample collection twice a day during the weeks leading up to harvest, in order to determine the optimal ripeness window.

Vinification and aging
The grapes for El Picón 2020 were hand-harvested and placed in 15-kilogram crates. At the bodega, they were chilled for 24 hours before any processing. A six-day cold soak at temperatures below 12 degrees Celsius preceded alcoholic fermentation, which took place in small-capacity French oak vats with native yeasts. After 40 days of fermentation, the wine was racked to begin spontaneous malolactic fermentation in barrel for 32 days. El Picón 2020 then underwent aging for 22 to 27 months in 225-liter French oak barrels, made from extra-fine-grain oak seasoned for 60 months. The wine was transferred four times during aging and was never filtered or fined. After bottling, it rested in the cellar for a further 40 months before release.

Grape variety
100% tinto fino (Tempranillo)