Pago de los Balagueses Syrah 2016 Organic

 Winery: Bodegas Vegalfaro

 Denomination of Origin: Pago D.O.

 Varietal: Syrah

 Awards: 96 pts James Suckling

 Ageing: Aged 10 months in oak barrels

 Format: Cork top, 750ML, Red Wine

 Wine:  Aged 10 months in French oak barrels this organic wine is deep ruby red with purple highlights. It has a strong aromatic intensity of red and black mature fruit, violet floral notes with subtle balsamic and spice deriving from the oak. On the palate is an immediate abundance of fruit of black and red cherries along with a creamy complexity and fine tannins that are destined to improve with age. The alcohol and acidity are well balanced, and the wine is structured yet elegant with a fine sustained finish.

Interesting fact!  The “Vino de Pago” (or for short “Pago”) is a Spanish classification system that came into effect in 2003.   In order for a vineyard to be approved as a Pago, it must abide by several strict requirements and then be approved through a rigorous certification process. The Pago status is reserved for high quality & elite vineyards, and there are only a small number of Pagos which currently exist in Spain.  So the next time you see a Spanish wine called a “Pago”, you can be fairly confident that the vineyard is producing some quality wines!