Tasting report October 2025
CBWS Tasting held on 16/10 2025 at Hotel Les Rotes , Denia and attended by 67 members and guests.
This excellent evening was prepared and presented by Tony and Cherry Cabban who explored the classification of Vino de Pago. The menu was designed to pair perfectly with the chosen wines and did so very well.
Vino de Pago wine sits at the summit of Spain’s wine classification pyramid. It is a category introduced by the Spanish government in 2003 to recognize the country’s exceptional estate wines.The term pago originates from the Latin pagus, meaning a rural district or estate. To qualify as a Vino de Pago, a wine must meet stringent criteria: Grapes must be grown exclusively on the estate. The estate must be relatively small and distinct from surrounding vineyards. The wine must exhibit singular, high-quality traitsthat reflect its terroir such as soil composition or microclimate. Approval is required from both Spanish authorities and the European Union, with inspections during harvest and vinification.The goal of the Pago classification is to incentivize the production of exceptional wines across Spain—similar to France’s Grand Cru system, though Vino de Pago is a national classification Grand Cru is more a regional one.
| Wine 1 Name and Vintage | El Secreto, 2022 Finca Elez 100% Viognier abv 14% Guia Penin 91 |
| Price per bottle | €21.00 |
| Wine 1 Description | Pago Finca Élez, El Bonillo, AlbaceteThe vineyards are situated at about 1,000 metres above sea level. Thus cooler temperatures at night, helping to preserve acidity and freshness in the wine. Soils: well‑drained, limestone and calcareous rock. Fermentation and ageing in French oak 2000 litre foudres (large oak barrels), imparting subtle oak influence.10 months on its lees which adds texture, complexity and creaminess. Colour: pale yellow with greenish tints, bright and clear.Aroma is expressive: fruits: pear, apricot. A sophisticated, silky creamy white wine that balances richness and freshness very well. It delivers aromatic intensity and a creamy texture, but thanks to altitude and lees contact, keeps a good backbone of acidity. |
| Wine 2 Name and Vintage | Vendimia Nocturna 20??, Pago de Tharsys Guia Penin 88 100% Albariño. Abv 12.5% Vinalia de Leopoldo, Ondara |
| Price per bottle | €15.75 |
| Wine 2 Description | Bodega Tharsys in Requena sits at 700 meters above sea level where the soil—rich in calcium carbonate—offers ideal conditions for viticulture. The soil structure allows deep, intricate root systems to thrive. It shows how well Albariño can adapt to a Mediterranean climate from northern Spain. It is a refined, aromatic, fresh white with aromatic intensity. It balances fruit, floral and herbal notes, with a fresh acidity and pleasant texture. The night harvesting technique helps maintain crispness and preserves delicate aromas.Colour: Bright pale yellow with green reflections. Aroma: White flowers. Taste: Tropical fruits. Finish: Long and persistent |
| Wine 3 Name and Vintage | Las Ocho 2022, Chozas de Carrascal Guia Penin 95 Bobal, Monastrell, Garnacha Tinta, Tempranillo, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Syrah, Merlot abv 14.5% |
| Price per bottle | €22.70 |
| Wine 3 Description | Las Ocho is a complex, substantial wine that showcases both varietal blending and careful ageing. For those who like structured, oak‑influenced, full‑bodied red wines with depth and ageing potential, this is an excellent example from Utiel‑Requena. During the 2-3 weeks of maceration the wine is drained from the tank, aerated then pumped back over the cap of grape skins twice a day. That helps colour and flavour extraction, softens tannins and adds fruitiness, In addition twice a day the wine is pumped from below the cap of grape skins over the top of it. AND that is for the 8 separate grapes in the mix.Colour: Deep ruby. Aroma: Ripe, dark red fruits, balsamic and herbal notes, oak, subtle minerality. Taste: powerful, full‑bodied, meaty, well structured, mature, round tannins Acidity: Balanced acidity, enough to lift the wine and give freshness, Finish: Long and persistent; flavours of oak balsamic notes, with subtle mineral or herbal traces |
| Wine 4 Name and Vintage | Petit Verdot,2020 Dehesa del Carrizal Guia Penin 94 Petit Verdot 100% abv 14% |
| Price per bottle | €24.50 |
| Wine 4 Description | This Petit Verdot that originated in Bordeaux demonstrates that it can do well in a warm‑continental/Mediterranean blend of climate and terroir. 100% Petit Verdot, made in a village near Ciudad Real, the vineyard of 2.1 hectares was planted in 2006.Aged 12‑15 months in French oak before bottling.Colour: Intense cherry red. Aroma: Rich scent of black and red berries, ripe fruit. Herbal notes: eucalyptus, and graphite. Palate: Entry is fresh and smooth. Builds up in structure: ripe, firm tannins give depth Balanced acidity, which helps with freshness. Finish is long and persistent, oak, fruit, and mineral/graphite notes. Has good ageing potential: can be cellared for 10 or more years |
| Wine 5 Name & Vintage | Petit Hipperia 2022, Vall de Garcia Guia Penin 91 Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot Abv 14.5% |
| Price per bottle | €14.95 |
| Wine 5 Description | Petit Hipperia produced by Vall de Garcia , in the Montes de Toledo at about 750m altitude 39% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Franc, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Petit Verdot, 6% Syrah.Colour: Deep cherry / ruby red with violet or purplish glints..Aroma: Strong presence of red and dark fruits. Palate:Balsamic/herbal touches, Spice / oak: notes of vanilla, mild spices,fresh and clean, good acidity, which helps balance the richness Full bodied: decent structure, with smooth but noticeable tannins. Not overly aggressive; rather well‑integrated. Style: Modern, elegant but with power. A blend that aims to balance fruit, oak, altitude freshness, and structure. Especially good if you like Bordeaux‑style blends but with Spanish terroir and higher elevation. Has enough structure and oak to age a number of years. |
| Prepared by | Tony & Cherry Cabban |
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