Pago del Cielo
Celeste Crianza, DO Ribera del Duero
Celeste Crianza was the first Spanish wine produced by the Torres family outside of Catalonia. Celeste is born 895 meters (2,937 feet) above sea level, where the vines and the sky form a magical connection, resulting in a wine filled with the freshness, emotion, and intensity of a starry night. Large diurnal temperature ranges and cool mountainous winds in DO Ribera del Duero contribute to perfectly ripened Tinto Fino. Celeste Crianza displays a pristine balance of fruit and body.
The winery is in the Fompedraza region, located in the mid-eastern part of the Duero River Valley, near the town of Fompedraza and the Durantón River. The vineyards in the area have gentle hills with high plateaus and narrow valleys. Celeste Crianza is made from the best parcels in Ribera del Duero, from towns at 790–900 meters above sea level. The vineyards sit atop deposits from the Upper Miocene and Quaternary periods. The predominant Upper Miocene lithology is based on grey limestone interspersed with marl, whereas the Quaternary areas are mostly composed of clay. The soils that formed on top of these materials tend to exhibit medium to fine textures and are very rich in carbonate.
- Region
- Castilla y León
- Appellation
- DO Ribera del Duero
- Varietal Composition
- Tempranillo
- Aging
- Fermentation began in stainless steel tanks under temperature control with maceration for 15-20 days. Malolactic fermentation is carried out partly in new barrels, with aging on lees for 2 months and partly In stainless steel under controlled temperature. The wine is then aged for 12 months in 55% French and 45% American oak (17% new) followed by aging for a minimum of 12 months in bottle before release.
- Alcohol
- 14.44%
Lovely dark cherry red color with subtle warm toasty glints. Clean aromatic expression, with notes of wild scrub flowers and blackberry jam over smoky, toasty undertones of coffee. Luscious and wonderfully velvety. Well-constructed and with the substance of a great wine, supported by quality oak aging.
James Suckling
92 Points
2020
“Some nice depth here with a mix of red and black berries and cherries. A hint of moss, sweet spices and dark earth. This is quite juicy and bright on the palate with tight, dusty tannins and a vibrant, lengthy finish. Structured and bright. Excellent balance here.”
— Zekun Shuai, 2023
