- The wines of Conde de San Cristóbal all exceed 91 points in the ranking and the renowned authority on wines includes two of them among the 100 best wines of Ribera del Duero: Conde de San Cristóbal Reserva Especial 2019 and the Oydor 2018 – a wine that Atkin has labelled as an icon of the region.
- The wine critic and Master of Wine rated the winery among the 30 best of its region according to his Growths classification.
Valladolid, 18th November 2021. – Well-known critic and Master of Wine Tim Atkin has published his first annual report on this wine region titled ‘Ribera del Duero 2021’. After analysing 149 wineries and tasting 537 wines, he rated the Bodega Conde de San Cristóbal as one of the finest examples and awarded high marks to their wines, which he listed as among the best in the Ribera del Duero D.O. region.
The renowned wine expert classified Conde de San Cristóbal among his ‘Second Growths’, a select group of 15 wineries which Atkin has identified based on their quality, individuality and good practices. In addition, all their wines received scores of at least 91 points, with exceptional ratings for the yet to be released wine Oydor 2018 with 96 points – and Conde San Cristóbal Reserva Especial 2019, with 94 points, placing them among the Top 100 wines of Ribera Del Duero–.
Specifically, Atkin recognized Conde de San Cristóbal for its viticulture work and for its high-quality reds and rosé. In particular, he highlighted Oydor as a ‘new iconic wine’. Made from Tinta Fina (Tempranillo) grapes from ungrafted (pie franco) vineyards at Quintana del Pidio (Burgos) planted more than 160 years ago, the writer praised its deep and intense notes.
“The high marks awarded by the renowned critic Tim Atkin recognize the efforts of the Bodega over more than 20 years of crafting high end wines. Examples that represent the unique and exceptional characteristics of our ‘terroir’, el Pago de Valdestremero, in the heart of the Ribera del Duero. Elegant, expressive and well-balanced wines, the result of the work in both the bodega and the vineyards, to always ensure and reflect the best of our region”, stated Don Pelayo de la Mata, XI Marqués de Vargas and IX Conde de San Cristóbal.
Wines of Conde de San Cristóbal: elegant, expressive and well balanced
In the most comprehensive report written to date on wines bearing this classified Denomination of Origin (D.O.C), Atkin identifies Ribera Del Duero as a region with great international potential. In addition, in his general assessment of Conde de San Cristóbal, he highlights the quality of the vineyard, the potential of its wines and praises the contribution of Xavier Ausás, the oenological consultant at both the Conde de San Cristóbal and the Marqués de Vargas group winery in Rioja Alta.
In addition to the recognition for the Bodega Conde de San Cristóbal, one should add the high marks the critic awarded to its reds and rosé, which he describes as well balanced, fresh and elegant. In particular, Conde de San Cristóbal Reserva Especial 2019 received 94 points, one of the winery’s most exclusive examples with a limited production. An elegant, expressive, and delicate red, made with Tinta Fina (Tempranillo) grapes from the best plots, which Atkin describes as full of elegance and finesse.
In “Conde de San Cristóbal 880m” 2019 the critic recognized the excellent work of the team in identifying and valuing the altitude and fresh climate to produce this red. A wine that he awarded 92 points, with tasting notes that showcase woody and red fruit aromas, with silky tannins.
Atkin describes the Conde de San Cristóbal Crianza 2019 -91 points-, as a well-balanced, fresh and elegant wine which well represents the vineyards of the winery.
Lastly, the critic scored the Flamingo Rosé –the only rosé from the winery – with 91 points, highlighting its daring presentation and bottle design. A stylish wine, elegant and surprising. Flamingo Rosé exclusively uses Tinto Fino (Tempranillo) grape from the best plots located 900 metres above sea level, at the highest terraces of the river Duero
About Conde San Cristóbal
The Conde de San Cristóbal winery, part of the Pago de Valdestremero estate, in the heart of the Ribera del Duero region, was built at the beginning of the century by the De la Mata family – who also own the Bodegas del Marqués de Vargas in Rioja Alta. Its vineyards enjoy an extreme continental climate with marked temperature fluctuations and moderate rainfall. These climatic conditions have a significant influence over the plant cycle and the ripening of the grape.
In addition, thanks to the seven existing soil types on the property, and the extreme temperatures combined with the mountain breezes, the wines achieve a high level of acidity that provides better structure and longevity. As a result, the Conde de San Cristóbal winery focuses exclusively on producing premium red wines, with a limited number of bottles.
Bodegas y Viñedos Marqués de Vargas
Bodegas y Viñedos del Marqués de Vargas is very much a family business –presided over by Don Pelayo de la Mata, XI Marqués de Vargas and IX Conde de San Cristóbal– devoted to the crafting of fine wines from the Rioja, Ribera del Duero and Rías Baixas classified regions. Unique locations where they make limited edition estate wines, using grapes exclusively from their own vineyards. Their premium wines, which have become internationally renowned for their quality and character, sell under the labels of their three wineries Marqués de Vargas, Conde de San Cristóbal and Pazo de San Mauro.
For more information:
www.marquesdevargas.com @marquesdevargas
Press releases and info:
BALBOA COMUNICACIÓN
91 515 95 10 / 636 65 90 76
Marta Casamayor / Laura Benito
marta.casamayor@balboacomunicacion.com / laura.benito@balboacomunicacion.com
