Dehesa del Carrizal is one of Spain's estate-specific Vinos de Pago. The vineyard is one of three prestigious VPs located in the Ciudad Real province of Castilla-La Mancha. The others are Pago Florentino and Casa del Blanco. Dehesa del Carrizal sits in the tiny municipality of Retuerta de Bullaque, 40 miles (65km) to the southwest of the historic city of Toledo and about 90 miles (145km) from Madrid. It is set in the Montes de Toledo, a mountain range that runs east-west and is abundant in flora and fauna. The range creates a particular mesoclimate, and the estate is considered to produce wine of exceptional quality and character.
Dehesa del Carrizal was awarded VP status in 2006, a mere 30 years after its first vines were planted. The estate began with just 20 acres (8ha) of Cabernet Sauvignon in 1986 before expanding to its current size of 69 acres (28ha), all of which is in the foothills and is covered by the VP.
The Montes de Toledo are rich in silica, which renders the soils acidic and creates a point of difference with neighboring regions. The soils are composed of clay and quartzite pebbles. The climate is also more humid, with the vineyard sitting at altitudes of 2625ft to 2950ft (800–900m). This high altitude counteracts the summer heat, keeping wines fresh and lengthening the ripening season.
The vines now include not only Cabernet Sauvignon but Syrah, Merlot, Petit Verdot and Chardonnay as well as the Spanish favorite Tempranillo. The Cabernet Sauvignon remains the estate's best-known wine, along with its Coleccion Privada blend (Cabernet – Merlot – Syrah).
All wines carrying the Dehesa del Carrizal VP label must be grown within the estate and vinified and aged in its Moorish-style bodega (winery). This facility, which is partly built into the mountain, was completed in 1999 and is equipped with modern winemaking equipment including temperature-controlled stainless-steel tanks. The estate uses a combination of French and American oak (it favors French barrels), aging its Coleccion Privada and varietal Cabernet Sauvignon for around 18 months before bottling.
Wines from Dehesa del Carrizal are typically full, well rounded, textured and long lasting.
