Ermita del Conde Paraje de San Roque 2016

Ermita del Conde Paraje de San Roque 2016 is a characterful red blend from Castilla y León that brings together the opulence of Merlot and the spicy backbone of Tempranillo. Dense, dark and expressive, it’s a wine built for those who enjoy depth, structure and a distinctly Iberian personality in the glass. Coming from elevated vineyards in northwestern Spain, it captures both the ripeness of the region’s sun-drenched days and the freshness from cool nights, resulting in a wine that is powerful yet finely poised.

Tasting Notes
In the glass, this cuvée shows a deep, saturated dark red to almost purple colour, immediately signalling concentration and intensity. The nose is generous and layered, led by black fruits such as blackberry, elderberry and hints of blackcurrant, followed by spicy, herbal and slightly smoky nuances. Notes of tobacco leaf, licorice, sweet wood and a touch of anise weave through the dark fruit core, adding complexity and a distinctly savory edge. On the palate, the first impression is surprisingly fresh: a vivid acidity lifts the wine and lends it a sense of elegance that counters its powerful frame. The mid-palate then broadens into richer, more opulent territory, with ripe dark berries, forest floor, dry leaves and subtle earthy undertones. Firm yet well-integrated tannins provide grip and structure without dominating the fruit, while discreet oak notes support the wine rather than overshadow it. This 2016 has the stuffing and balance to age further for several years; expect it to develop more tertiary notes of leather, dried herbs and truffle with careful cellaring over the next 5–8 years.

Production
Paraje de San Roque is sourced from vineyards in Castilla y León, where higher altitudes, poor stony soils and a continental climate with hot days and cool nights ensure slow, even ripening and excellent flavour concentration. Yields are typically kept low to enhance intensity, and grapes are often harvested by hand to allow careful selection of bunches at optimal ripeness. In the cellar, Merlot and Tempranillo are vinified to showcase both power and finesse: temperature-controlled fermentation preserves the primary fruit, followed by maceration to extract colour and tannin. The wine then spends time maturing in oak, most likely predominantly French barriques, to add structure, spice and subtle toasted notes without overwhelming the natural character of the blend.

Food & Serving
This robust, flavour-packed red pairs beautifully with hearty, savoury dishes. Think grilled or roasted lamb, beef stews, game birds, braised short ribs or slow-cooked pork shoulder, as well as rich casseroles featuring mushrooms and root vegetables. It also works well with aged Manchego, hard cheeses and charcuterie. Serve at around 16–18°C to allow the aromatics to fully open. A short decant of 30–60 minutes is recommended, especially while the wine is still relatively young, to soften the tannins and bring out the more subtle earthy and spicy nuances.

Producer
Ermita del Conde is a quality-focused producer from Castilla y León, a region that has gained international recognition for its characterful reds based on Tempranillo and complementary varieties. Working in a landscape of high plateaus and old-vine parcels, the estate’s philosophy centres on expressing the tension between ripe fruit and fresh acidity that the local terroir naturally provides. Over the years, Ermita del Conde has become known among insiders for offering wines that punch above their weight, combining traditional Spanish strengths—structure, spice and age-worthiness—with a more modern sense of balance and drinkability, helping to shine a light on the potential of lesser-known corners of the region.

We deliver within 2 - 6 business days. You can choose whether it should be to a parcel shop or home delivery. Free delivery to both parcel shops and your front door. Our store partners primarily use GLS, DPD, UPS and DHL for deliveries. We cover deliveries to the majority of countries in Europe.