Castelae (Garnacho 170 años · Pie Franco)
A very concentrated Garnacha from extremely old (170-year) ungrafted vines. Intense ripe red fruit — raspberry and strawberry jam — with strong spicy notes such as black pepper and sweet spice. Rich and powerful, but still balanced with freshness and a long finish.
| Producer | Raúl Tamayo |
| Region | Arlanza · Burgos |
| Appellation | Vino de Mesa · Pampliega |
| Vintage | 2022 |
| Grape variety | Garnacha Prefiloxérica |
| Type | Red |
| Soil | Calcareous clay |
| Vineyard altitude | 900 m |
| Orientation | North |
| Farming | Certified organic |
| Vinification | Fermented without destemming, in 8-year-old wood barrels. Aged for 30 months on their lees without batonnage, just to protect the wine. |
| Oak ageing | 8-year-old wood barrels, 30 mo on lees (no batonnage) |
| Alcohol | 13.5% |
| Body | Medium-full |
| Acidity | Medium |
| Serving temperature | 16–18°C |
| Cellaring potential | 4–8 yrs |
| Production | 600 bottles |
Where it grew.
One of the few old vineyards that survived phylloxera in Burgos — planted by Felicísimo on sand (which protected the ungrafted roots from the louse), with the roots feeding on the chalk below. Now worked by Nardo, it is a rare living window onto the past of this place.
In Pampliega, 30 km west of Burgos. The city of Burgos was historically known as CAPUT CASTELAE — and the records say it was supplied with wine from Pampliega and surrounding villages, since the harsh climate of the capital made vineyards impossible there. A Tamayo–Amoretti project that interprets old terroirs with minimal intervention.
In the glass.
A dry and warm year in Pampliega, with low rainfall from winter through spring leading to limited soil water reserves and naturally controlled yields. Summer was hot and very dry, with several heat peaks that accelerated ripening, while cool nights helped preserve balance. Harvest took place earlier than usual under clean and dry conditions, resulting in grapes with good concentration, ripe fruit expression and balanced freshness despite the warm season.
At the table.
Tested at our own service. Works particularly well with beef · lamb · game · cheese.
Open 30 minutes before service. Decant for younger vintages. Avoid over-chilling — serve closer to the warmer end of the recommended range when paired with richer dishes.
Raúl Tamayo
A second, deeply personal project of extremely limited production — often less than two barrels per wine. Showcasing the purity of Pampliega terroir and the potential of the Vino de Mesa classification.
More from Raúl Tamayo.
Castelae (Tempranillo / Syrah)
Castelae (Verdejo / Godello / Garnacha Blanca)
Castelae · 8 años
