Description

Type of wine.Red wine, highly expressive. Meticulous selection from the best zones
on each plot of our vineyards.
Varieties. Carbernet Sauvignon 45%, Garnacha 20%, Tenpranillo 20% and
Merlot 15%
Vineyards.The season began with a hard winter. Spring was warm and very dry.
The daytime temperatures in early summer aided the concentration of the
compounds of the skin, and the mild end of summer helped maintain hight acidity
and resulted in a perfectly healthly harvest carried out sligthtly later than usual.
Throghout the cycle, total rainfall was only 250 litres, but the depht of the roots of
these already mature vines (20 and 40 years) enabled them to extract water from the
deepest strata of the Cérvoles soil.
Exposure.As a result of the scarce rainfall, the selection of buds after the spring and
the cluster thinning in summer prior to véraison were very specific. We chose the
small areas of our vineyads where the ground was deepest, a characteristic which
encouraged ripening and ensured a perfect balance between complexity and the
character of Cérvoles .
Altitud.Our plots are at an altitude of 700 and 750 m, protecting the aromes
producted by extreme heat and, in particular, ensuring the temperature contrasts
produced by the typically cool nights of the mountainous area of Les Garrigues
where Cérvoles is located.
Soils.Clay-loam soil, combined with plentiful gravel, provides balance in the water
drainage/retention in lower levels of the sub-soil. The structure of these soils,
together with this year’s low levels of rainfall, 250 l/m2, provides a scarce water
supply which transmits to the vines the water stress necesary in quality wine production.
Harvest.Manual, with a meticulos selection of bunches. The ‘08 harvest was
perfectly healthy with extraordinary ripening. The Tempranillo was picked in
mid-September, and the Merlot at the end of the same month. The Garnacha was
harvested at the beginning of October, and the Cabernet Sauvignon on the 11 of the
month.
Fermentation.Above 28 oC. Maceration for 30 days. Regular remontage (
pumping over) and manual punching down of the cap. Each grape variety was
fermented and aged on tis lees. Malolactic fermentation was carried out in new oak
cask.
Ageing.18 months in new French oak casks. The Garnacha and the Tempranillo
are aged in casks from Radoux cooperage ( Radoux Blend being an extra fine-grained
blend), the Cabernet Sauvignon in casks from Taransaud cooperage, and the
Merlo in François Frères casks. Regular bâtonnage during the first 5 months to
enhance the blend´s viscosity and volume.
Alcoholic content. 14,5% Vol
Tasting notes. Dark cherry red, medium-hight intensity, with highlights of the
same hue. Dense, coloured legs. Intense, pleasant nose with aromas evoking the
ageing process (cedar,cloves,pepper and dried fruit). Aeration reveals the full
aromatic complexity of the wine, with spicy and balsamic notes, black fruit
jam,plum,hints of tabacco,aniseed,licore and the mineral touches which characterise

Cérvoles.Pleasant,voluptuos mouth feel. On the palate, exceptionally mature
tannins,well-integrated.Good acidity adding liveliness and freshness.On the palate,
exceptionally mature tannins,well-integrated.Good acidity adding liveliness and
freshness.Very long finish with smoky and spicy hints and notes of toasted almond
skin and praline.

Estrats 2009 Guia Peñín 93