Grape: 40% Brancellao, and roughly equal parts Caiño Redondo, Caiño Longo, and Ferrol
Region: Ribeiro, Spain
Ageing Potential: Drink now - 2030
Perfect with: Saltbush lamb racks with roasted potatoes
Size: 750mL

Why you’ll love it:

Luis Rodriguez has been described as one of the most knowledgeable, yet humble winemakers of Ribeiro. During the 16th and 18th Century the Ribeiro wine region was once world-renowned. The traditional wine of the area was called Vino Tostado, made from grapes hung to dry in the sun, not so dissimilar to Italy’s Amarone. Successive disasters profoundly affected the region’s wines, including war with England, oidium, mildew, phyloxera, and then civil war. Ribeiro descended into an area responsible for primarily bulk wine production. As of late, with the help of colleteiros like Luis, there has been a movement towards producing wines that are more reflective of the unique Ribeiro terruño.

Luis has just over 5 hectares of vineyards in the best locations around the town of Arnoia, a village with some of the steepest south-facing vineyards in Ribeiro. Here the soils are decomposed granite with sandy topsoil. Luis’s vines range from 10 to 50 years old, with many of them being planted by Luis himself.

He has been slowly converting these plots from the bulk wine grapes Palomino and Garnacha Tintorera (Alicante Bouchet) to the native Treixadura, Lado, and Ferrol, to just name a few. He has tried to avoid using chemicals where possible to help preserve the natural balance in the land.

The A Torna Dos Pasás is an blend of 40% Brancellao, and roughly equal parts Caiño Redondo, Caiño Longo, and Ferrol, vine age 10-20 years old, grown on steep south-facing granite hillsides located in the town of Arnoia, Galicia. A Torna dos Pasas was fermented with native yeasts in steel vat, and raised in used 300 liter French oak barrels for 12 months.

Tastes Like?

The 2012 vintage is still very fresh and vibrant. Aromatic, medium weight with very fine fruit tannins that are soft but present. Fruit driven flavours, red fruits, violets, and a hint of spice on the finish. 625 cases produced.