Description

ABOUT THE PRODUCER:
Winemaker Xosé Lois Sebio of Viños de Encostas has produced this stunning eponymous collection of wines as a result of a personal quest: to find wines with unique personality from more risky processing zones and with a very marked identity. This original and quirky range is made from high quality grapes in areas which are often neglected or simply different; vineyards that are difficult to farm due to the high costs of conventional viticulture. Away from fashions and conventions, the sole intention is to respect and express the soil, variety and area; producing wines with soul and personality. The wines are vinified with minimal intervention and low sulphur. These are collectable wines for lovers of the authentic and different.

THE VINTAGE:
A cool winter, and dry spring of 2018 led into a dry, warm summer with an abundance of hot days. September continued the heat-wave pattern; it was a very dry and hot month, resulting in an early harvest of very healthy grapes. The cool nights brought freshness and balance to the wines, which have concentrated fruit flavours.

ABOUT THE VINEYARD:
This wine is from the DO Ribeiro, which means ‘River Bank’ in Galician, as it is located along the Miño river and its tributaries, in Galicia, North West Spain. The vineyards are planted on steep slopes at 150 to 300 metres’ elevation and are surrounded by stone walls and are the last to be harvested. A blend of indigenous varieties, the vines range from 50 to 70 years old. These vines are low yielding and produce wines with fine tannnins and excellent fruit intensity. Planted at an altitude of 150 to 350 metres above sea-level, the vines are free-standing and trained with a stake in the traditional manner, at a density of 1.25 x 1.25 metres. The soils are clay with schist, the latter imparting mineral tones to the wine. The 35% of ‘other grapes’ in the blend is a field blend of Ferrol, Souson, Brancellao, Bastardo, Caiño Longo, Caiño da Terra, Carabuñeira and Tinta Marela. The grapes are grown mixed together in the same parcel which was planted between 70 to 90 years ago in the traditional manner at the time. The grapes are manually harvested.

THE WINEMAKING PROCESS:
Vinification took place in open tanks of 1,500 litres. A pre-fermentation cold soak lasted one week, prior to fermentation at low temperatures with manual punch-downs. The wine was gently pressed in a manual screw press. Only the lots with the sweetest, ripest tannins and fruit forward flavours were extracted. The wine started malolactic conversion in tank, which was then completed in barrel. The blend was aged for 14 months in 500 litre barrels of third fill.

OUR TASTING NOTES:
A layered fragrant blend highlighting notes of violet, blackberry, redcurrant and plums, combined with subtle hints of black pepper and mineral tones. Elegant and expansive on the palate, offering concentrated fruit, fine tannins with a balancing freshness. The rich yet vibrant finish is wonderfully intense and long.

GRAPE VARIETY:
Other Varieties 35%, Ferrol 20%, Sousón 20%, Caiño Longo 15%, Bastardo 10%.