The
Nekeas Valley in Navarra is one of the northernmost vinegrowing regions
on the Iberian peninsula. Cultivation of grapes is only possible thanks
to the presence of the Sierra Perdón, wich provides a mountainous
barrier sheilding the area from the cold winds of the Pyrenees. Additionally,
the climate is moderated by the influence of the Atlantic Ocean -
70 Km away - and by Mediterranean air migrating up the Ebro Valley.
Summer ends early and the cool nights which follow it provide an especially
long period for grapes to mature. This heightens the complexity of
the grape and resulting wines.
The geography
of the Valley is complex too. There are sharp slopes, some impossible
to climb, with altitudes of between 450 and 650 meters, facing out
in all directions. This results in a wide variety of stone outcroppings,
diverse both in structure and composition.
For this
reason there are a number of microclimates, each favoring different
grape varieties - all in a valley only five kilometers in length!
The grapes
for Vega Sindoa Chardonnay are from two of the best hillside vineyards
divided by a small road. The vineyards face southwest and are composed
of soil known locally as Berezabal, a calcareous clay with
lots of gravel. The yield is typically only 1.45 t/acre.
The wine
is barrel-fermented in new French Allier oak with batonnage weekly
and is aged for 4 months on its lees. 1,500 cases are exported to
the United States.
The 2006
earned 88 points in Stephen Tanzer’s International Wine Cellar:
