Pontecilla
 Calatayud (Spain)

The Estate
Pontecilla is made at the Bodega San Gregorio, a cave co-op founded in 1965 that counts 250 members. It is located in the Ribota River Valley, some 30 kilometers (20 miles) north of the city of Calatayud. Tres Ojos hails from the D.O. Calatayud, located in Aragon, a province unparalleled in Spain by its variety of landscapes (lush river valleys, mountainsides and semi-desert areas.)  The name Calatayud derives from a Moorish governor named Ayub who built a castle (qalat) at the confluence of the Jalon and Jiloca rivers (qalat Ayub.)  There has been thriving population here as far back as Roman times when the old city of Bilbilis was used as an important staging-post for the Roman legions on their way north to Gaul.
Pontecilla means a small bridge in old Spanish, referring to the three arched "Tres Ojos" bridge on the property.

The city of Calatayud

Calatayud area

Calatayud area

The Vineyards
The coop cultivates 900 hectares (2,200 acres) of primarily Garnacha (70%) and Tempranillo (20%) with some white Macabeo and other varieties.  Most of the vines are at least 40 years old and some are 50+. The vines, planted “en vaso” (head-trained) are not irrigated, offering very low production levels. Local soils are rich in limestone, marl and slate, providing plenty of opportunities to make good wine on a regular basis.

shelf talker

shelf talker / case card

#S0EE520005TPS
UPC code: 7 84585 00962 6
2009 Pontecilla, Tempranillo, Calatayud 12/750ml
Pontecilla means a small bridge in old Spanish, referring to the three arched "Tres Ojos" bridge on the property. Many Roman ruins still dot the Spanish landscape, including a vast network of stone paved roads. In Roman times (and most likely pre-Roman), road and path junctions were marked with stone markers (cairns), like the ones on the label. Major  intersections had signposts of carved stone, secondary junctions were often had these cairns. To make key markers easier to distinguish from the surrounding landscape, naturally colored rocks were often used. The original rock was probably a more natural rust-brown color, typical of iron-stained rocks; but the designer seems to have used a bit of artistic license, making it a brighter, flashier red.

Made from a selection of the best Tempranillo grapes.
Temperature controlled fermentation for 8-9 days.
Deep purple red color. Ripe black fruits and cherry aromas. Ample, well balanced, firm tannins and a long lasting finish.
Excellent when paired with meat, chorizo.

"Saturated ruby. Musky dark berry and tobacco on the nose, with a hint of cocoa powder coming up with air. Lush, warm and palate-coating dark fruit flavors show good depth but are slightly loose-knit. Finishes with good breadth and lingering sweetness, echoing the dark berry note. Serve this with a slight chill."
- Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar (Sept/Oct 2011), 87 pts

#S0EE520030TPS
UPC code: 7 84585 00962 6
2008 Pontecilla, Tempranillo, Calatayud 12/750ml
Pontecilla means a small bridge in old Spanish, referring to the three arched "Tres Ojos" bridge on the property. Many Roman ruins still dot the Spanish landscape, including a vast network of stone paved roads. In Roman times (and most likely pre-Roman), road and path junctions were marked with stone markers (cairns), like the ones on the label. Major  intersections had signposts of carved stone, secondary junctions were often had these cairns. To make key markers easier to distinguish from the surrounding landscape, naturally colored rocks were often used. The original rock was probably a more natural rust-brown color, typical of iron-stained rocks; but the designer seems to have used a bit of artistic license, making it a brighter, flashier red.

Made from a selection of the best Tempranillo grapes.
Temperature controlled fermentation for 8-9 days.
Deep purple red color. Ripe black fruits and cherry aromas. Ample, well balanced, firm tannins and a long lasting finish.
Excellent when paired with meat, chorizo.

2007 Pontecilla, Tempranillo, Calatayud 12/750ml
"Deep, bright red. Ripe blackberry and cherry aromas are complemented by mocha and licorice. Peppery red and dark berry flavors reminded me of syrah, as did the subtle mineral qualities. Light in body but packs very good flavor punch, especially at this price."
- International Wine Cellar (Sept. 2008), 88 pts

"A tremendous value, with rich, earthy tobacco and plum flavors and impressive depth and balance for the price. On the second day it develops a leathery character, like an old book in Grandpop's library that smells of cigars he smoked half a century ago."
- Washington Post (July 09), EXCELLENT


National Retail Price: $9.99 / bottle