On the border of Portugal in western Spain exists a region known as Extremadura that has long been celebrated for its Roman ruins, which include aqueducts and theatres—and yet, increasingly, oenophiles are looking to the region thanks to the wines of Pago los Balancines.
Some of the vineyard’s newfound attention has been a consequence of its association with the World’s 50 Best Restaurants, where Pago los Balancines has been designated the “official wine sponsor.” Think about that fact for a moment: a gala in honor of the world’s most celebrated restaurants—and you’re bringing the wine.
Surrounded by olive trees and tucked between two mountain ranges in Los Balancines, the certified organic vineyard cultivates Grenache, Tintorera, Cabernet Sauvignon, Tempranillo, Syrah, Petit Verdot, Bruñal, Graciano and Touriga Nacional varieties on 128 acres. The average age of the vineyards is between 25 and 30 years.
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Situated at a high altitude with Atlantic and Mediterranean influences, the rain-fed vineyard practices sustainable farming and an efficient use of water, thanks, in part, to the stony soil’s capacity for storing rainwater. An adherence to ecological guidelines corresponds to the owners’ conviction to care for the natural world by working in harmony with nature. In keeping with Pago los Balancines’ focus on the environment, the certified organic vineyard sponsors the “Sustainable Restaurant Award” at the World’s 50 Best Restaurants’ gala weekend.
Vines at Pago los Balancines are gobelet-trained, an ancient method of vine training most likely first utilized by Egyptians and Romans. A respect for biodiversity and indigenous flora is complemented by Atlantic breezes on their way to the Mediterranean, all factors that result in wines that are notable for their elegance and balance.
©Pago los Balancines
Los Balancines Matanegra 2012: When you’re looking for a wine as big and deep as your emotions, a wine to celebrate passion, consider this blend of 34% Cabernet Sauvignon, 33% Grenache, and 33% Tempranillo. On the nose, there’s rich black fruit complemented by cocoa—alongside a hint of petrichor, that luscious mineral smell that results from a rain after a dry spell.
Aged for 18 months in French oak, the wine exhibits a toasty biscuit quality with ripe tannins on the palate. At 14.5%, this is a very persistent wine, which should probably be served at a slightly cooler temperature—perhaps 59 degrees Fahrenheit—than other wines of this type. With an average rating of 94 points and a price point perfect for celebratory occasions, Los Balancines Matanegra 2012 is a garnet-colored gem.
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Pago los Balancines Alunado Sauvignon Blanc 2013: Winner of the Bronze Medal for Best Value, this limited edition wine christened “Moonstruck” remains in contact with its lees (residual yeast deposits) for more than a year, mostly in new French oak barrels. Golden yellow with an aromatic nose of peach and pastries, this well-balanced 100% sauvignon blanc is sumptuous and fully-rounded. You might consider Alunado as a hostess gift, but more wisely, keep it for your own table to pair with shellfish and vegetables.
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Los Balancines Huno Ribera del Guadiana 2013: A beautiful and complex wine at 14.5%, this blend of 50% Grenache, 20% Tempranillo, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 10% Syrah has a powerful nose of blackberry vanilla with hints of pepper-infused chocolate. The garnet red color blushes to a rim of royal purple. Soft-velvety tannins linger with a dry finish. Consider this wine as an aperitivo with some hard cheese followed by a spicy ratatouille or an autumn cassoulet—or pair this with roasted cauliflower in a sage butter sauce. Aged for 12 months in French oak barrels, Los Balancines Huno has an average rating of 91 points, which is exemplary for a wine at this price point.
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Balancines Tempranillo & Syrah 2014: When you want a young and powerful wine, with a lively nose of wild berries and sweet spices, you might reach for this blend of Tempranillo and Syrah. The aim of this wine is to preserve the expressive fruity quality of the varieties. Bright cherry in color with a vibrant purple rim, the wine fills the nose with mulberries and morello cherries. Fermented in cement tanks, the wine is aged in second-use American oak barrels. At 14.5%, this strong fruity wine is smooth and delectable with a persistent finish—and very pleasing at this price point (and especially with an average rating of 91 points).
Pago los Balancines Blanco Sobre Lias 2015: A blend of Sauvignon blanc and Chardonnay, this wine drinks like an apricot blush. Clear and bright yellow in color, Blanco Sobre Lias on the nose offers notes of lime blossom and freshly-mown grass with the scent of tropical fruits. Both varieties used for blending this wine are harvested at night to insure maximum freshness, resulting in a velvety wine with a pleasant acidity.
©Pago los Balancines
